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Monarchs  of  minstrelsy, 


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EUW.  LE  Kl'V  rice. 


M^  Motbtr 

(The  Best  I  Ever  Had) 
u^tjia  Saok  is  Affectionately  Bedicated. 


THE  AUTHOR'S  FOREWORD. 

There  were  several  reasons  which  prompted  me  to  compile  this  vokime, 
the  chief  one  being  the  fact  that  the  subject  in  its  entirety  had  never  before  been 
attempted ;  and  whenever  inchvidual  articles  appeared,  they  almost  invariably 
treated  of  old  times  and  old  timers  alone. 

.\  second  reason,  and  one  of  equal  importance,  was  that  these  contributions 
which  appeared  both  in  the  various  newspapers  and  magazines,  were  in  the  main 
written  on  hearsay  alone  without  any  apparent  regard  for  facts. 

No  one  is  infallible,  and  if  the  data  that  appears  between  the  covers  of  this 
book  of  living  performers  who  furnished  me  with  the  sketches  of  their  careers 
is  incorrect,  obviously  no  blame  can  be  attached  to  the  author. 

But  of  those  who  are  past,  I  have  given  the  most  careful  search  of  the  rec- 
ords that  were  placed  at  my  disposal,  and  verified  or  disavowed  all  statements 
made  to  me,  or  have  qualified  by  attributing  them  to  those  from  whom  they 
emanated. 

In  this  manner  I  hope  to  perpetuate  the  names  and  fame  in  story  and  pic- 
ture of  these  "Monarchs  of  Minstrelsy  from  'Daddy'  Rice  to  Date." 

New  York  City,  Oct.  12,  1910.  Edw.  Le  Rov  Rice. 


INTRODUCTION. 

Is  Minstrelsy  dying  out?  How  often  has  the  question  been  asked  and  how 
conflicting  are  the  opinions  of  those  who  ought  to  know?  Some  maintain  that 
minstrelsy  is  here  to  stay,  while  others  insist  there  are  no  more  minstrel  shows. 

But  if  the  question  were:  Are  the  minstrels  dying  out?  there  could  be  no 
divergence  of  opinion.  The  passing  away  in  the  last  decade  or  so  of  such  lumi- 
naries as  Xeil.  Bryant.  Billy  Rice,  Billy  West,  Billy  Emerson,  \Vm.  Henry 
Rice.  Frank  Cushman,  Ben.  Cotton,  Johnny  Booker,  Jack  Herman.  .\ndy 
Leavitt.  E.  F.  Dixey,  J.  B.  Donniker,  "Eugene"  J.  H.  Haverly,  Sam.  Hague, 
Dave  Reed  and  many  others,  eliminate  the  matter  of  doubt  entirely.  Grantmg 
this,  it  would  appear  that  the  two  terms :  Minstrels  and  Minstrelsy  are 
synonymous. 

Some  of  the  minstrel-loving  public  who  recall  the  old  days  when  Hooley's 
in  Brooklyn.  The  San  Franciscos  (  Birch,  Bernard,  Wambold  and  Backus )  in 
New  York,  likewise  Bryant's  and  the  Christy's ;  and  Carncross  and  Dixey's  in 
Philadelphia  were  household  words,  will  be  astonished  to  learn  that  many  of  the 
burnt-cork  heroes  of  forty  years  ago.  yes,  fifty  years,  are  still  living,  scattered 
about  the  country,  though  it  has  been  years  since  some  of  them  have  darkened 
their  features. 

But  while  most  of  the  old-timers  are  past  and  gone,  and  those  who  are 
living,  practically  in  retirement:  yet  there  are  many  of  the  younger  generation 
of  sable  performers  who  rank  in  many  ways  with  their  illustrious  predecessors, 
and  it  is  of  these  as  well  as  of  the  "old  guard"  that  "Monarchs  of  Minstrelsy; 
from  'Daddy'  Rice  to  Date,"  will  specialize  on.  I  wish  to  take  this  opportunity 
to  extend  my  thanks  to  the  New  York  Clipper,  without  whose  assistance  this 
work  could  not  have  reached  the  comprehensive  form  it  has  attained :  and  an 
invaluable  auxiliary  was  obtained  when  this  aid  was  further  supplemented  bv  the 
files  and  data  of  the  Dramatic  Mirror  being  placed  at  my  disposal,  and  for  which 
I  am  also  extremely  grateful. 

From  the  Albert  Davis  collection  of  photographs.  Brooklyn.  I  have  received 
invaluable  specimens,  likewise  Eddie  Fox.  Mrs.  Billy  Rice.  "Hank"  Mudge, 
Harry  Booker,  Emil  Heusel,  John  Unsworth,  Billy  Huntley,  Mrs.  J.  T.  Huntley, 
Tommy  Granger:  Charles  E.  Ellis,  author  of  "Official  Elks  Historv:"  Mrs. 
James  Budworth.  Mrs.  G.  W.  H.  GriflSn,  Mrs.  Archie  Hughes,  "Bill"  Hines, 
Dan  Mason,  Phil.  A.  Paulscraft,  Mrs.  Ben  Cotton,  R.  H.  Mayland.  Gus  Hill, 
Fox  &  Ward,  John  P.  Hogan,  ]Miss  Maggie  Weston,  Frank  Dumont,  William 
Blakeney,  New  York  Sunday  Telegraph;  Louis  Morgenstern.  Tom  Ward,  Will 
Webster,  Mrs.  Catherine  Griffin,  Tom  Waters,  Mclntyre  &  Heath.  Geo.  Lewis, 
Nick  Norton.  Geo.  L.  Willson.  Chapin  &  Gore,  Chicago;  Willis  P.  Sweat- 
nam.  Walter   Kingsley  and  the   late  J.    H.    Surridge. 

Note. — Where  dates  and  miscellaneous  information  found  in  this  volume 
differ  from  those  in  my  "i.ooo  Men  of  Minstrelsy;  and  One  Woman,"  it  is  be- 
cause careful  research  has  shown  the  latter  to  be  erroneous. 


INDEX 


Abbott,    C.    D 74 

Abbott,     Fred 94 

Abecco,   Raphael 118 

Abel.    Xeal 364 

Abrams,   Morris    32 

Adams.   Jas.   E 215 

.Adams.    Marsh    131 

Adams,  Thos Jt<8 

.\llen,  .And.  Jackson.  .  6 

Allen,    Billy    124 

-Allen,    Johnny     I7.t 

.Allen.    Paul    247 

Allen.   R.   G 182 

.Allmon.    Dan 316 

.Attics.   Emil    220 

.Arbnckle,   .Maclyn    .  .  320 

.Arlington.   Billy   11=; 

.Armstrong,  Harry  .  .  228 
.Arnold,  .\mos  ...  163-223 
.Arnold,  Billy  ...  163-223 
.Arnold.  Frank   .  .  .    163-224 

.Ashcrott.  \Vm.  J 160 

.Atkins.   Charley    220 

.\tkinson.   "Chuck"    ..  119 

.\ustin,    Ralph     351 

B 

Backus.  Chas 70 

Bailey,   Fred 351 

Bailey.    Geo.    W 60 

Baird.  1.   \V 203 

BaltUvin,    .Archie    ....  219 

Baldwin,    Louis    315 

Ball,  Stephen  B 67 

Bam  ford,   .A 142 

Banker,  Ed.  H 115 

Barbour,  W.   W 203 

Barlow.    Bill    223 

Barlow.   Billie    272 

Barlow.  James    223 

Barlow,    Milt.    G 159 

Barnes,    Stuart    322 

Barnum.    P.    T 23 

Barry.    Billy    224 

Bartiey,  John    142 

Barton,   Chas 276 

Basquin.   J.   .A 72 

Beach.  Bobby    267 

Beard.    Billy' 358 

Beban,    Geo 339 

Behman,  Louis   266 

Belasco.  David    280 

Belknap.   \V.   S 238 

Bell.    Frank    iig 

Bell.    Fred.   .A 279 

Benedict,   Lew 132 

Benham.   Earl   364 

Benson.    Billy    206 

Berger,   Paul    55 


Bernard,    Sam 318 

Bernard,    W'm.    H....  71 

"Bernardo"     210 

Berthelon.   Dick    80 

Bidau.x.   Theodore 

Gustave    76 

Birch.    Billv    2-68 

Birch,   Wal'tcr    84 

r.irdue.    Bob    212 

Hi„c!:.    \V.    \V 308 

Blackford,  joiiii    270 

DIair.    Billv    74 

niakelv.    Harrv     270 

Blakely,   Thos.'    6 

Blakeney.    W'm 78 

nioodgood.  Harry   ...  176 

Blue,  John  J 362 

liogcrt.   Eddie   335 

Bohce.    Jas.    D 142 

Booker,   Harry    ..'....  222 

Booker,  Johnny    74 

Booth.    Edwin     91 

Bortell.   Chas 155 

Bowers.   Fred.   V 348 

Bowers.    Xick 5j 

Bowers,    Otis    230 

Bowman,  Jas.   M 350 

Bowman,  John    154 

P.owman,    \Vm.    T....  350 

Boyce.    John    T 131 

Boyd.    Billy    So 

Boyfl.    Clarence    299 

Bradley,   Jas.    B 311 

Braham,    Dave    66 

Bray,    Walter    146 

Brickwood,    Chas.    .  .  .  235 

Briggs,    J.    Harvey...  318 

Briggs,    Tom 40 

Brimmer,  Lew 15' 

Brockway,  \Vm.  H  . .  .  108 

Brooks,  Jos 215 

Brower,    Frank    ....    ti-15 

Brewer,  Thos.  P 71 

Brown,    Ben 188 

Brown.   Geo 96 

Brown.  Joe 72 

Brown.    John    G 47 

Bruno,    Gus 202 

Bryant,    Billy    248 

Bryant,   Dan., 

64-87-98-248-295 

Bryant.    Fred 215 

Bryant,   Jerry    58 

Bryant.   Xeil 106 

Bryant,    W'm.    H 220 

Bryant,   W'm.   T 72 

Buckley,    Billy    208 

Buckley,    Fred 18 

Buckley.   Geo. 

Swayne     18-83 

Buckley,   James    15 

Buckley,   Joe 104 


Buckley,    J.    K 134 

Buckley,    R.    Bishop..  16 

Buckley.  R.  Jean 92 

Budd.    Jake    103 

Budworth,    Harry    ...  218 
Budworth,  Jas..   64-79-295 

Budworth,   W.   S 114 

Bugbee,   Chas.  R 299 

Bulger.    Harry    324 

Burbank,   Otto    72 

Burgess,    "Cool"    ....  138 

Burgess,   F.jd 52 

Burgess.    Xeii 188 

Burk.    Major    159 

Burnham,   Chas.   D...  146 

Burr.   Billy    135 

Burton.   Clarence    ....  287 

Butler,   "Picayune"    ..  30 

Byrne.  J.  H.  VV 270 

C 

Cain,  John   E 308 

Callender,    Chas 54 

Cameron,    .Al 319 

Campbell,  Geo.    F....  252 

Campbell,  J.  C 174 

Campbel.   J.    K 103 

Campbell.   M.   C 26 

Campbell.   Sher 60 

Canheld.  Eugene    ....  222 

Carle.  Jno.    H 48 

Carle.    Richard    324 

Carmichael,  Bob 310 

Carncross,   John   L...  92 

Carnes,    Boardman    . .  326 

Carroll.   Jas 50 

Carroll.   Richard   F...  318 

Carroll.   R.   M 80 

Carroll,    \Vm.   J 250 

Carson.    Dave 66 

Carter.    Billy    94 

Carter.   Jim    ^o 

Casey,    Frank    299 

Cassady,    Eddie    359 

Castle,    Wm no 

Cave.  John  .Arnold....    34 

Cawthorne,    Herbert..  296 

Cawthorne.  Joe 323 

Ceda,    Bill    24 

Chace,    Billy 272 

Chambers.  Billy   91 

Charles,   Geo.   \V 124 

Chase,   Frank  V 315 

Cheevers,    Joe 200 

Chestnut.   ^last 6 

Childs,   Joe.    H 134 

Chipman,    E.    W' 335 

Chirgwin,   Geo.   .A....  343 

Christian.   Tom 23 

Christie,    .Arthur    ....  296 

Christie,   Chas 55 


Index 


Christy,  E.  Byron....  22 

Christy,   Edwin   P....  19 

Christy,   Geo.   X jo 

Christy's  Minstrels   . .  ig 

Christy,    Wm.    .A. 22 

Church,   Chas.   L 92 

"Cincinnatus"    220 

Clapham,  Geo.  T J07 

Clapham,    Harrv    J...  142 

Clapp,  VV.  W.  Jr 6 

Clark,    Billy    354 

Clark.    Geo.    M 84 

Clark,   Jimmy    142 

Clark,   S.   E 30 

Clark.  Willis   246 

Clarke.    Kit 124 

Claudius.  Dana  H....  352 

Cleveland,    Wm.    S...  30b 

Clifford.  Billv  S 340 

Clifford, 'J.   H 147 

Cluskey,  John    72 

"Coal   Oil  Johnny"...  282 

Coburn,  J.  A ;iT,i 

Coes,   Geo.   H 58 

Cogill,  C.  W. 210 

Cohan,    Geo.    M 356 

Cohan,    Jerry     203 

Cohen   Sallie    280 

Cole,  Sam 126 

Coleman,   Billy    60 

Coleman,    "Picka- 
ninny"      28 

Collier,    Willie    330 

Collins,   Ben.- 244 

Collins,    D.    W 114 

Collins,  John  H 28 

Collins.  "Punch"    ....  48 

Collyer.  Dan    240 

Comfort.    Vaug:hn    .  .  .  360 

Connors.    Jimmy    ....  279 

Converse.    Frank    B..  119 

Conway.    Billy    254 

Cook,    .\rthur    158 

Cook.  James    312 

Cooke.  Aynsley    95 

Cooper    .Jas.    H 118 

Corbett.  Jas.   J 343 

Corbin.  Edmond  G...  282 

Cornu,   E.  J 116 

Cotton;    Ben 62 

Cotton,    Ben.    Jr 212 

Courtright,    Billy    ....  203 

Cox.   John   S 82 

Crane.    Wm.    H 182 

Crimmins.  John    300 

Crimmins.    Mike 300 

Crimmins.    .Steve 300 

Crocker.  John   P 05 

Cronin.  Tim.    278 

Crosby.    L.   V.    il...  50 

Crosher.  John    147 

Cummings.  Jas.   H  .  .  .  239 

Cunningham.  Geo.  W.  311 

Cunningham.    Jerry...  292 
Cushman,    Frank.    168-243 


D 

Dailev,  Peter  F 302 

Daly,    Bill    247 

Daly,   Dan    303 

Daly,    John    ^87 

Daly,  Tom   247 

Dart,    Fred 272 

Davis,    Lewis    H 224 

Davis,   Xed 90 

Davis.   Will  J 282 

Day,   Chas.   H 151 

Day,   Geo.   W..  .  .  .  .^,   319 

De  Angelis,  Jeff.?TXL~rfe- 
De  Angelis,  Johnny..      87 

Deaves,    Edwin    27 

Decker,   Al 256 

Decker,    Jas.    H 218. 

Delehanty,  Wm.  H...    184 
Delmanning,   Dent.    ..   208 

Delmore,    Len 271 

Deming.  Arthur   32'5 

De    Rue,    Billy 348 

De   Rue,    Bobby 348 

Detzel,   Pete 350 

De  Vere,   Geo.   M  . .  . .    300 

Devcrc,    Sam 152 

Devere,    Tommy    ....   220 

Devcre,   Wm 220 

Devlin,   Jimmy    35s 

Diamond,    Billy    224 

Diamond,    John    40 

Diamond.   Lawrence   .   254 

Diamond.   Matt 254 

Dicken.    C.    Edward..    294 
Dickinson,   Com- 
modore         98 

Dingess.    John    A....      52 
Di.xey,    E.    Freeman..     86 

Dixey,    Henry    E 294 

"Dixie",   origin   of....   314 

Dixon,   Thos.    B 198 

Dixon.    Geo.    Wash- 
ington            6 

Dobson.  Chas.  E z'\2 

Dobson.   Edw.   C 288 

Dockstader,    Chas.    . .   207 
Dockstader.  Lew.. 

2-4-46-138-274-302 
Dockstader,  W.  L...  303 
Donaldson,  Wm.  B..  36 
Donnelly,  Lewis  J...  134 
Donnelly,  Tommy  ..  318 
Donniker,    John    B...     83 

Dooley,    Larry    307 

Doty,  J.  .Arthur 300 

Dougherty.    Hughey..    170 

Dove,    Johnny     359 

Doyle.    J.    Marcus....    236 

Dresser.   Paul    212 

Dukelan.   "Slim   Jim".    168 

Duley.    John    H 91 

Dumont.    Frank    198 

Dunn,   .Arthur    .    322 

Duprez,   Chas.   H 72 

Durand.    Lansing     ...     34 

Durell.   Frank    294 

Dwyer,    Wm 136 


E 

Eagan,    Hubert    W...    150 

Early,    John    W 327 

Edwards,   Bob 36 

Eldredge   "Press"    ...   226 

Ellis,   Harry  A 354 

Eltinge,   Julian    363 

Emerson,   Billy    .  . .  186-207 

Emerson,   Mort 246 

Emmett,    Billy    170 

Emmett.   Dan 11-14 

Emmett.  J.   K 150 

Emmett.    "Young 

Dan"    66 

English,  Tom    304 

Ernest,    Chas.    M 2ig 

"Eugene"  iir 

"Eustache"     218 

Evans,   Chas.   E 271 

Evans,    Geo 339 

Evarts,    Harry    76 

F 

Fagan,   Barney    216 

Farrell,    Bob    6 

Field,   Al.    G 214 

Fields,    John    F 251 

Fields,    Lew 328 

Fields,    Wm 118 

Filkins.    Robert   J....  182 

Fish,    Fred.    C 260 

Fish.    Wm.    B 47 

Fisher,  Harry    207 

Florence,    W.    J 96 

Foley.   Johnny    366 

Folev,    Mike    i;5 

Foley,  Willie   366 

Footc.    Wm 174 

Forde.  Stanley   356 

Forrest.  Edwin 2S 

Fostelle.   Chas 180 

Foster,  Dave   264 

Foster.    Stephen    C...  51 

Fox,    Charley    56 

Fox,    Eddie    195 

Fox,   Jas 212 

Fox,   Joe 235 

Fox,    Xed 178 

Foy,    Eddie    218 

Foy,    Dave 215 

France,   Sid.    C 122 

Eraser.    Bob 152 

Frear.   Billy    210 

Frear,    Fred 219 

Frear.   Jas.    B 211 

Freeth,   Jabez    215 

Freeze.   Larry 340 

Freeze,   Billy   340 

French,   Chas.    K 298 

French,   Edwin    243 

Friganza,    Trixie    ....  354 

Frohman.   Chas 264 

Frohman.  Daniel    ....  264 

Frohman,  Gus 264 

Frothingham,    Geo....  174 

Fulton,   Jas.    C 336 

Fulton,   Wm.   T 336 


Index 


G 

Gallagher.   Denny    ...     66 

Gale.    Geo 21 1 

Gale.    Peter    302 

Gardner.  Charley   ....    130 

Gardner,   Dan    26 

Gardner.    Sam 28 

Gaylor.    Chas 98 

Gaylord.    Low no 

Gaynor.  James    131 

Geary,    Gustave    i47 

Gentry.    Jas.    B 310 

Germon.   Francis    ....      24 
Gettings,   Tommy    .  .  .    1O2 

Gever.   Frank  C 266 

Gibbons.  Chas   E 136 

Gibbs,   Clark   M u6 

Gibbs.    Wallv    216 

Gibson.  .\lf 284 

Gilbert,    John    D 29^ 

Gildav,    Chas 291 

Gildea.    Edw.    P 304 

Gill,    \Vm.    S 4 

Gilmore,    Barney    ....   344 

Gilmore.    P.    S 62 

Ginniven.    Billy     260 

Girard.    Eddie    286 

Girard,    Frank     140 

Girard,    Willie    286 

Glenn,    Ja> 128 

Glidden,   Charley    ....   211 

Golden,    Billy    288 

Golden,   Geo.    Fuller..   346 

Golden.    Richard    242 

Goldrich.  Pete.  •■;••■  199 
Goodman,    "Hank"    ..     95 

Goodwin.    Xat.    C 268 

Goodyear,    Chas 179 

Gorman,    Geo 22,2 

Gorman,  James   . .    232-355 

Gorman,   John    2^2 

Gorton,  Jos.  Jr 356 

Gorton.   Jos.   Sr 108 

Goss.    Xed 212 

Gould,    Billy    .139 

Gould,    Julia     46 

Gould.  Xapoleon  \V.  .  28 
Granger.  Tommy  ...  231 
Granville.   "Bun"    ....   364 

Graupner.    Mr 5-6 

Gray,    Billy    136 

Gray,  Geo 151 

Gray,    William    296 

Green,  J.   E 86 

Greenland,    Xed 67 

Griffin,   G.   W.    H...    59-83 

Gritfin.   Jas.    H 268 

Guy,  Albert   320 

Guy,  Arthur  L 346 

Guy,  Mrs.  Arthur  L..    351 

Guy,  Chas 296 

Guy,  Edwin   326 

Guy,    Geo 36 

Guy,  Geo.  R 263 

Guy,  Willie    242 


H 

Hague,  Sam 56 

Haines,   Xat 307 

Haley,    Maurice    278 

Hall,    .-\rtie    355 

Hall,    Bob 82 

Hall,    E.    M 183 

Hall,    Geo.    L 56 

Hall.    Wm.    D 330 

Hall.   Wm.   M 6 

H  alien,    Fred 270 

Hallen.   Geo 308 

Hallett,    Wm.    H ii2 

Hamall.    Hugh    183 

HamUton,    Wm.    H...    I47 

Hanson,    Frank    251 

Hapgood.   Harry    ....      47 

Harlev,   Edwin    218 

Harold.   Donald    266 

Harper,    Xed 24 

Harrigan,  Xed 263 

Harrnigton,   Geo.  A..     30 

Harrmgton,  J.   C 288 

Harris.    Chas.    K 322 

Harris,  Tommy    267 

Harris,   Wm 154 

Hart,    Al 324 

Hart,    B.    C 182 

Hart,   Billv    83-151 

Hart.     Bob 83 

Hart,   Jerry    272 

Hart,    Joe 306 

Hart,  John   90 

Hart,   Tony    263 

Haverlv,    Burt 244 

Haverly,    J.    H 120 

Hawkins.    D.    R 148 

Hawkins.  Lew 244 

Hayes,    Ben 15° 

Hayes,    Tim 151 

Hayman,  Al 208 

Havwood.  Charlie  ...  304 
Heath,  Thos.   K..   255-262 

Height.  Bob 228 

Hengler,  Thos.  M 184, 

Hennessy,   Michael   F.   271 

Henry,    Chas 104 

Henry,   Hi 172 

Hensiiaw.  John  E....  216 
Herbert,  "Pot  Pie".  ..  6 
Herman,    Geo.    W....     63 

Herman.    J.    .\ 42 

Hernandez.   .A..    M....     82 

Heme.  Jas.  \ 148 

Heusel.  Emil   324 

Hevwood,    Chas I99 

Hicks.    Chas.    B I47 

Higgins,    Joe 303 

Higgins,    Wm 303 

Hiiliard,   Chas 364 

Hilton,    J.    W 107 

Hines.  Wm.   E 290 

Hitchcock,    Raymond.  335 

Hobbs,  W.  L 82 

Hoey,   Jas.    F 302 

Hoey,    Wm.    F 264 


Hogan,  Gus 276 

Hogan,    Harry    276 

Hogan,   John    P 190 

Holland.    Geo 22 

Holly.    Jas 230 

Holmes,    Edwin    ...   67-83 

Holmes.    Wm.    F 235 

Holt.    Dan 66 

Hooley,    Bob 278 

Hooley,   John    75 

Hooley,    R.    M 38 

Hopper.   De   Wolf.  ...   323 

Horan.   Eddie    332 

Horn,   Eph 27 

Horn,    Geo 227 

Horwitz,  Chas 323 

Howard,  Charley   ....     51 
Howard.    Frank 

(A.  C  &  H)    215 

Howard.    Frank 

(Hurd)     148 

Howard.    Frank 

(:^Iartindale)    180 

Howard.  Gus 134 

Howard,  Patsy   258 

Howard,    Rollin    ...83-127 

Howard.   Seth 76 

Huber,    Fred 25? 

Hughes,  Archie    78 

Hughes,  Artie   264 

Hughes,  Joe 315 

Hughes,    Mark 136 

Hughes,   Ruey 202 

Huntington,    Harry 
(see     "Young     Dan 
Emmett.") 

Huntley,    C.    L 42 

Huntley,    J.    T 43 

Huntley.   Mrs.  J.  T....     83 

Huntlev,    Wm.    A 160 

Hurley.    J 230 

Hussey,   Frank    91 

Hutton,    Laurence    .  .  .   5-6 

Hyde.   Richard    266 

Hyde.   Tommy    360 

I 

Irwin,    Max    87 

Isaacs,   P.    D 78 

J 

Jackson.    Theodore...  no 

Jamison,  Xeil    6 

Jansen,  J.    Melville...  187 

"Japanese    Tommy"..  116 

Jefferson,   Jos 60 

Jefferson,  Tommy   ...  116 

Jenkins,   Charley    ....  6 

Jennings,    John     251 

Jerome,    Billy    322 

Johnson,   Arthur    ....  304 

Johnson,   Carroll    ....  230 

Johnson,  Jim 50 

Johnson,   Sam 23 

Jolsbn,  Al 363 


Index 


Jolson,   Harry   ,362 

Jones,   Albert    66 

Jones,   Geo 362 

Jose,    Richard  J 338 

K 

Kanane,    Mike    67 

Kayne.    E.    M 187 

Keating.    John    J 262 

Keefe,    Matt 326 

Keegan,    John    T 2Q2 

Kelk-rd,    John    E 307 

Kelly.    Edwin     143 

Kellv,    limmv    279 

Kelly,  j.  J..' 160 

Kellv,    John    T 264 

Kelly,    J^    \V 278 

Kelly,   Xolan    220 

Kemble,   J.    R 124 

Kennedy,  Edw.  J...,  200 
Kennedy,  Harry  ....  267 
Kennedy,    "Memphis"  228 

Kent,  Frank 2-71 

Kernell,   Harry    187 

Kerns,    Frank    153 

King,    John    H 334 

Kneas*.    X-^ls^n    26 

Knowles,  R    G 201 

Koppitz.  Chas 66 

Knnkel.    Geo 30 

Kurtz,    Melvin    S 175 


Lackaye,   Wilton    ....  206 

Lacy,    Harry    270 

r.atayette.  The  Great.  4 

Laniont,   Jas.    W 123 

Landis.    John     30 

Lane.    Pete    75 

Lang,  Joe 154 

Lang,    John     183 

Langdon,   Geo 76 

Lansing,   Harrv    220 

La  Rue,  D.   C' 05 

Latell,   Ed ag 

La    Verne    Lucille....  323 

Lawrence.   Billy    70 

Lea.   Geo 30 

Leavitt,    .\ndv    ^5 

Leavitt,    M.     B 158 

Le    Clair,    Harry 270 

Lee   Dinner 96 

Lee.    John    H 215 

Lee,   Pete    123 

Lee,    Philip    06 

Lee,   Sam    318 

Lehr,    Harry    67 

Leicester,  ....  6 

Leighton,    Bert 338 

Leighton.    Frank    ....  336 
Leighton,    Harry ..  T8-322 

Leighton,   J'^e ! .  358 

Le    Mack,    Tom 316 

"Leon"    123-143 


Leon,    Dan 51 

Leonard,    Eddie    351 

Leslie,    Bert 340 

Leslie,   Tom 91 

Lester,   Billy    247 

Lewis,   Charley 91 

Lewis,    Frank    295 

Lewis.    Geo.    \V 314 

Lewis,   Tom 71-296 

"Little  Mac"   162 

Lockwood,  Chas 147 

Long,     Chas.    G 52 

Lorraine,   Chas.   F....   207 

"Lotta"    179 

Lovely,    Joe 212 

Lynch,    Frank    32 

Lyons,  Dan.   E 291 

M 

Mack,   .\ndrew    313 

Mack,    James     28''i 

Mack.    Jas.    W 183 

Mack,    Johnny    242 

Mack,  John  .\ 1 14 

Mack,  Jos.   H 207 

Mack.  Keller   336 

Mack,    Pete    280 

Mack,  Will  G ra8 

Mackin,    Jas.    F 258 

Mackney.    E.    W 47 

Magee.   Richard   Jr...    228 

Maguire.    Tom J3 

.Malcolm,   Fred.   B....   227 

Mallory.     Ben 62 

.Manchester,    Bob.    ...   251 

Mann,  Harry   3-287 

Manning,  Billy...  128-248 
Mannmg,    Eddie    , .  . .    303 

Mannmg,  Jas.   H 335 

Marble.    Ed 187 

Marion,   Bert 327 

Marion,    Geo 294 

Marion,  Herman  ....  355 
Marks.    Clarence    ....   34.^ 

.Marks.    Eddie    310 

.Marr.    Billy     230 

Martin,    Geo.    T 300 

Martin,   Tom 307 

Mason,    Chas.    A 299 

Mason,    Dan 271 

Mason,   "Hank"    40 

Mason,  Hen 148 

"Master"    Barney    ...    128 

"Master"    Juba 48 

"Master"  Martin  ....  284 
"Master  Tommy"  ...  206 
Ma.xwell.  Barry..  179-199 
^L•lyland.  Rowland  H.  204 

Mazier.    Eddie     147 

Mc.VlIister.  Billy  ....  138 
Mc.\ndrews.   J.    W...      79 

McCabe.    D.    W 298 

McCuUough.    John    .  .     98 

McElroy,   Matt 304 

McGee,   Joe    B 362 

McGowan.    Did:    ....    130 


McGown,  Bobby  ....  226 
Mclntyre,   Jas.    ..   255-262 

McKee,  Andy    171 

McKee,    Frank    30-, 

McMahon,  Tim 335 

McMahon.  Walter  .  .  346 
McMillan,    Jerry    ,...    142 

McNally,    Tom 119 

McXish,  Frank  E....  240 
McVeigh,  Johnny  .  .  .  179 
McWade,    Robert    ...    139 

McVickar,  John    232 

Melville,    Chas 102 

Melville,    E.    J 50 

Mestayer,   Harry    ....        6 

Meyers,   Lew 103 

Mills,  Gus 242 

Milton,    Chas.    W....    344 

Mitchell,    Mike    66 

Monroe,  Chas.  L 142 

Monroe,   Xed 332 

Montague,  Harry  ...  98 
Montgomery,  Dave..  342 
Montgomery, 

"Scamp"    327 

Moore.    Geo.    F 211 

Moore,    "Pony"    31 

Moran,   Frank    2-54 

Moreland,    .Arthur .  .58-igi 

Morgan,    Duke    72 

Morningstar,  Chas.  A.     71 

Morrell.    Frank     352 

Morris.    Billy    64 

Morris.    Chas.    A 64 

Morris,    D.    L 139 

Morris.  Lon 64 

Morris,  Tim 94 

Morrisey,   L   135 

Morse,   Harry  M 242 

Mortimer,  Jos 63 

Morton.  Jos 262 

Morton,    J.    W 204 

Morton.    Will    H 218 

Moxley,    Thos.    L....      59 

Mudge    "Hank"    138 

Mullally,    W.    S 178 

Mulligan,  John 53 

Murphy,    Con.   T 162 

Murphy.   Joe 106 

Murphy,   J.   B 63 

Murphy,  J.   C 183 

Murphy,    J.    H 144 

Murphy,  John   E 262 

^^urphy.  Jos.   D 42 

Murphy,    Mark    304 

Myers.   "Ole    Bull".  ..   ^23 

N 

Xewcomb,  Bobby  1-58-194 

Xevvcomb,   W.   W....  40 

X'ewman.   Wm.   G....  308 

Xicholls.    Geo 6 

Xiles.  P.  J 271 

Xish.   Anthony    63 

X'oble.  Chas 75 

Xorcross.  Jos.    M....  150 


hide 


Korris.  James   138 

Xorton.  ]o\\\\    I2J 

Norton.   Tim 122 

Norton,  Wash 122 

O 

Oakland.    Fred 252 

Oakland.  Will   362 

Oherist.    John    F in 

O'Brien.    Mike    67 

O'Brien.    Xeil    HO 

O'Day.    Billy    2.38 

Olcott.    Cliauncey    .  .  .  2^2 

O'Neill.    Charley    75 

Ordway,  John   P 44 

P 

Paine.    Ira    116 

Parker.    Dick    114 

Parker,    Lew 204 

Parmley,    "Hank"    ...  106 

Parrow.   W'm 31 

Pastor.    Tony    84 

Patti,    Greg 324 

Payne.    Billy    298 

Payton.    Corse    331 

Pearl.   Billy    312 

Pearl.   Charley    2i() 

Peaslcy.   John   .\ 136 

Peel.  "English 

Tommy"    I-16 

Peel.    Matt 75 

Peel.   Mrs.    Matt.    ( ^ee 

Mrs.  J.  T.  Huntley  I 

Peel,  Tommy    148 

Pelham.    Dick    1 1-12 

Pell.    Frank    148 

Pell.    Gilbert    \V 48 

Pell.    Harry    72 

Pell,    Jas 294 

Pell.  Johnny    84 

Pendy,   John 140 

Percy,    Harry    178 

Petrie.  Chas 86 

Petrie.    Will    0 260 

Pettengill.   Charley    ..  156 

Pettengill.    Joe 302 

Pettitt.   Seamon    ..S..  2x2 

Phelps.   Lucius   M 178 

Philbrick.  Will   358 

Phillips,  Aug:ustus   . .  .  347 

Phillips.  Will   F 346 

Pierce.    Earl    43 

Pierce,  Johnny 

"Froergv"    131 

Pierce.    W.    W 118 

Pike.    >Larshall    S....  28 

Pi.xley.    Gus 32^ 

Polk.    J.    S 98 

Porter.    Wm.   A 38 

Powers,   Geo.   W 192 

Powers,  James    51 

Powers,    Jas.    T t,2t, 

Prendersast.    John     ..  188 

Prendergast,   Tom.    . .  66 


Price,   Harry   M 283 

Price,  Neil    140 

Price,   Sam 114 

Primrose.  Geo.   H  .  .    4-236 

Pringle.    C.    W 136 

Prosser.    Rees     327 

Purdv,    S.    S no 


Queen.    Chas 254 

Queen,   John    323 

Queen,  Johnny   135 

Quigley,    "Doc"    348 

Quiltcr.    Dick    199 

Quinlan.    Dan 316 

Quinn.    Billy n8 

Quinn.    Paul 334 

R 


Rainer.  Jos.   H 

Raleigh.    Tom 

Ralph.    Dick    

Rankm.    Carl     

Rankin,    Rit 

Rankin.    Will     

Rattler.   Lew 

Raymond,   Maude    . .  . 

Raynor,  Geo   

Raynor.    J.    W 

Reece  "Pop"    

Reed.    Charley    

Reed,    Dave    

Reed.  Ned 

Reeves.    .A I 

Remington.   Billy    .... 

Reynolds.    Chas 

Reynolds.    Cliarley.  .  . 

Reynolds.    Geo 

Ricaby,   Sanford   B... 

"Ricardo."     

Rice,    Billy    163 

Rice,    "Daddy"    

Rice,   Dan 

Rice,    Edw.   Le   Roy.. 

Rice,    Geo 

Rice,  Geo.   W 

Rice,  Johnny   

Rice,   John    C 

Rice,   Philip    

Rice,   Wm.   Henry. 

31-74 
Richards.   Geo.    .  . 
Richards.    Vic.     .  . 
Richards.   Warren 
Richardson.    Billy 
Richardson.    Sage 
Richmond.  Harry  G 
Rickey.  Sam.    .  .  . 
Rigby,  Arthur   C 
Roberts.   James 
Robinson.    Geo. 

(see  "Eustache") 
Robinson.  Harry 
Robinson.  "Hop" 
Robson,  Andrew 


47 

30 

174 

262 

262 

262 

-6 

334 

34 

39 

64 

267 

67 

136 

319 

136 

239 

n5 

239 

330 

1 75 

-207 

7-74 

42 

I 

6 

276 

206 

268 

30 

-163 
258 
292 
134 

J20 
202 
140 
280 
328 

6 


91 
6 


Rockefeller,   Geo.   W.  156 

Ro.gers.   Neil    176 

Rogers,   Stevie    171 

Romain,    Manuel    ....  346 

Roome.    Jas n6 

Rosenbaum,    Ed 306 

Ross,,    Jasper    H 51 

Rudolph.    Carl    1,12 

Rudolph,    \V.   Jackson  52 

Rumsey,  Hy 59 

Rumsey.    Zenas    28 

Rushby,  Horace   146 

Russell.   James    266 

Russell,  Jas.   G 1.^5 

Russell,   John    266 

Ryman,    Add 122 

S 

Sadler,  Tom 276 

Sanderson.   Harry    . .  .  295 

Sandford.    Jim    23 

Sands.    Dick    14" 

Sands.    Edw 262 

Sanford.    Jas 152 

Sanford,  Sam 34-364 

Sarrissey,  "Dad"    ....  62 

Sarsfield,    Steve    299 

Schoolcraft.    Luke.   58-192 

Scott,    Ainsley     108 

Seamon,    Chas.    V....  214 

Sexton,    Mert 76 

Seymour,   Nelse., 

50-64-95-98-295 

Sharpley,    Chas 315 

Sharpley,    Fred 219 

Sharpley,    James    .....  182 

Sharpley.   Sam 64-76 

Shattuck,   Chas.   F....  90 

Shay,    Harry    230 

Shay.   Johnnv    179 

Sheflfer,    "Buck"    279 

Shelby,   Dan 122 

Shepard.    Burt 227 

Sheppard.    Billy    147 

Sheppard.    Bob 35 

Sheppard.   Frank    ....  291 

Sheridan.   John    F....  183 

Shirley,   Harry    230 

Shorey,  J.  G.  H 90 

Shunk,    Harry    C 347 

Silver,    Dick 76 

Silver,  J.    K 135 

Simmons.    Lew.    ...    1-126 

Simpson.   John    72 

Sitgreaves.    Beverly..  354 

Sivori.    John    83 

Skiff.    M.    T 06 

Skinner.    Otis    316 

Slavin.    Bob 2-250 

Sliter.    Dick    50 

Slocum.   E.    N....    ni-294 

Smith,  Bob 75 

Smith,    Ed.    C 270 

Smith,   Harry   W 356 

Smith.   John    P 82 

Smith,   John    \V 24 


Index 


Smith,    Sol .<r  6 

Smith,    Wm.     . .  .'2-.V.P  «4«- 

Smith,    Wm.    H 44 

Smith,    Wm.    N 67 

Sommers,  Tom 214 

Sothern,    Mr 96 

Spalding,   Dr.   G.    R..  23 

Spencer,    Lew 198 

Spooner,   Cecil    355 

Spooner,    Edna    May.  346 

Sprung,    Fred 140 

Stanley,    Burton     ....  228 

Stanwood,    Harry    ...  152 
Steele.  John   W.    (see 
"Coal   Oil  Johnny") 

Stewart,   "Fatty"    ....  95 

Stiles,    Billy    276 

Stine,    Chas.    J 320 

Stone,    .\.    C 140 

Stone,  Fred 342 

Stone,  H.  D 6 

Stout,    John    S 180 

Stratton.    Eugene    . . .  320 

Strickland,    W.    H 147 

"Stuart"     344 

Studley,   J.    B 82 

Subers,    Emil     355 

Sullivan    J.    F 148 

Sullivan,  John  L 339 

Sullivan,  Mark   287 

Sully,   Lew 311 

Sully,   Wm.   J 283 

Sun,   Gus 334 

Surridge,   J.    H 126 

Sutton,   Charley    176 

Sweatnam,   Willis  P   3-179 

Swor,    Bert     .3V-3-  ■•  <rr 

Sweeney,   Dick    24 

Sweeney,    Joe 22 

Sweet,    O.    P....U.O.  -34*- 

Symonds,    Jack    303 

T 

Talbott,   Jack    144 

Tatnall,   Sam 6 

Templeton,    Chas.    .  .  .  104 

Ten    Brooke,   James..  286 

Tenney,    Ernest    328 

Thatcher,  Geo 3-188 

Thatcher,    Ned 294 

Thayer,    Ambrose    A.  118 

Thayer,    "Bije"     44 

Thomas,    Wally    134 

Thompson,   Dan 278 

Thompson,    Denman.  106 

Thompson,    Johnny..  155 

Thompson,    John    W.  131 

Thompson,    Matt.    ...  96 


Thompson,  Wm.  H..  338 
Tierney,   Jas. 

(T.    &    W.) 326 

Tiernev,  Jas.  M. 

(T.  '&   C.) 272 

Trowbridge,   Jos.    T..  39 

Turner,   Chas 303 

Turner,    Frank    208 

Turner,    John    223 

Turner,   John    M 210 

Turner,    Tommy     ....  239 

u 

Unsworth,    James, 

50-64-107-295 

Unsworth,    John     ....  175 

V 

Van,    Billy    312 

Van,    Billy    B 342 

Vaughn.   Tom 43 

Vetta,    Franz     311 

Vidocq,   Will    322 

Vogel,   John   W 312 

Vokes,   Harry   323 

Von   Bonhurst, 

Julius    A 30 

W 

Wagner, 

"Happy"   Cal 146 

Waldron,    Dan 248 

Wallace.  Jake    no 

Walters.    Charley    . . .  204 

Walz,    Fred 239 

Wambold,  Dave 70 

Wambold,  Jas 92 

Wambold,   Ned 211 

Ward,    Frank    208 

Ward,   "Hap"    323 

Ward,    John    H 139 

Ward,    Wm.    H 235 

Wartield,  -Tom 135 

Warren,    Mickey    ....  59 

Waterbury,    Edw.    M.  328 

Waterbury,    Geo.    N..  328 

Waters,    Tom 348 

Watson,    Harry     212 

Wayne,   Burt 212 

Wayne,    Chas 326 

Weaver,  Add 87 

Weber,    Jos 328 

Welby,   Jake    239 

Welch,   Billy    206 

Welch,    Fayette    123 

Wells,  Frank   95 


Wells,    Jimmy    51 

Wells.   Sam 51 

Weslyn,    Everett    ....   235 

West,    Charley    219 

West,    Luke     52 

West,   Wm 13s 

West,   Wm.    H.  .  .71-207-246 
Weston,    Horace    ....     46 

Weston,   Wm.    R 280 

Wheeler,    Matt 162 

White,   Archie    226 

White,   Chas.   O Ill 

White,    Chas.   T 5-35 

White,   "Cool"    34 

White,    Frank    H 228 

White,    G.    Warren...      26 

White,    "Hank"    84 

Whiteside,   Walker    .  .        4 
Whitlock,    Billy    ...    11-12 

Wild,    Billy    176 

Wild,    John    155 

Wilkes,    Geo 140 

Williams,    Barney    ...     44 

Williams,    Bert 350 

Williams,    Billy    256 

Williams,   Jack 294 

Williams,    Percy    G..   271 

Willis,    Oscar    155 

Wills,   Nat 335 

Wilson,    Chas 152 

Wilson,    Chas.    D....   347 

Wilson,    Dave 139 

Wilson,    Francis    ..258-344 

Wilson,    Fred 55 

Wilson,    Fred., 

(D.    &    W.) 271 

Wilson,    Geo 172 

Winnett,   Tommy    .  .  .    232 

Winship,    Geo 47 

Winter,    Banks    283 

Withers,   Ike    182 

Witmark,  Julius    .P..   342 

Wood,    Billy    290 

Wood,    Henry    74 

Woodruff,  Tim 46 

Woods,    Geo.    W 206 

Woodson.    Harry    . .  .   238 

Wray,    Billv    86 

Wright,    Billy    75 

Wyatt,   Andrew    82 

Y 

Yale,    Chas.    H 276 

Yeamans.   Jennie    ....   310 
Young,  Charley    254 

Z 

Zanfretta,    Alexander.      72 


INDEX  TO   ILLUSTRATIONS 


A 

Abecco.    Raphael 217 

Abel.   Xeal    145 

Adams,  Jas.   E j8o 

Allen,    Billy    2.?3 

Allen.    Hen    177 

Allen.    )'  •Imny     II.? 

Allen,    Paul    _M 

Ames,   Emil    _'i) 

Arbuckle,    Maclyn    .  .  .  lod 

Arlinifton.    Billy    41 

Armstrong.    Harry    ..  221 

Arnold,    .\ino3    1^7 

Arnold.    Billy    157 

Arnold,    Frank    157 

Ashcroft.  Win.  J .^01 

Austin.   Ralph    It)6 

B 

Backus.  Chas 117 

Bailey,    I-"red ig6 

Ball.    Will 165 

Bamtord.    .A 73 

Banker.     Ed.    H 97 

Barlow.   Milt.  G 41 

Barnuni.    P.    T 49 

Barry,    Billy    73 

Basquin,  J.   .\ 73 

Beban,    Geo 1117 

Belasco,  David    107 

Bell,    Frank    85 

Benedict.    Lew.    .  .  .    85-J25 

Beniiam.  Earl   257 

Bernard.    Sam 196 

Bernard.    Win.    H....  117 
Bidau.x.  Thendore 

Gustave     141 

Birch.    Billy    117 

Birdue.    Bob    349 

Bishop,    Gonsalvo    .  .  .  141 

Black.    W.    W 229 

Blakcly.  Harry    301 

Blakeney,    Wni 165 

Blossom.   Xat    173 

Blue,    John    J 229 

Bogert,    E;ldie     177 

Booker.    Harry    349 

Booker.   Jolmny    65 

Booth.    Eilwin     49 

Bowers.    Fred.    \'    ....  107 
Bowman.  Jas.   M., 

I'acina:  35  r 

Bowman.  Jrihn    177 

Bowman.   Wm.   T.. 

Facin.ET  351 

Bradley.   Jas.    E 305 

Brandisi.   Sis 165 

Brimmer.    Lew 265 

Brockway.  Wm.  H  . .  .  333 

Brewer,   Frank   13 


Brown,    Joe 229 

Bruno.    Gus 57 

Bryant.  Dan....  99-149-225 
Bryant.  Mrs.  Dan....    20Q 

Bryant.    Fred 177 

Bryant.   Jerry    u3 

I'.ryant.    Xcil 65 

Buckley.    I'"red 13 

Buckley.  .Mrs.  I'red..  209 
Buckley.    Geo. 

Swaync    13 

Buckley.    James    13 

I^.tickloy.   Joe i8r 

Buckley.    R.    Bishop..      13 

Buduorth.    Jas i6r 

Budworth.   Mr.s.   Jas..    209 

Eudworth.    W.    S 265 

Bughee.   Chas.    R 365 

I'lulucer.    Harry    197 

Burijess.    "Cool"     ....   245 

Burgess.    Xeil 49 

Burton.   Clarence    ....      53 

C 

Cain.   John    E    145 

Campbell.  J.   C 221 

Campbell.    J.    K 221 

Campbell.   Sher 221 

Canlield.   Eugene    ....    349 

Cardella.    Frank    105 

Carle.    Richard    196 

Carncross.  John    L...    181 

Carroll.    R.    .M 341 

Carter.    Billy    37 

Carter.   Jim    21 

Carter.    Otis     217 

Casey.    Frank    317 

Cassady.    Eddie    169 

Castle.    Wm 49 

Catlin.    E.    .\'    105 

Cawtliorne.   Joe igti 

Chace.    Billy 321 

Christy.  E.  Byron....  85 
Christy,   Edwin    P....      45 

Christy,    Gen.    X' 45 

Clapham.    Harrv   J...   365 

Clark.  Willis    ..' 337 

Claudius.  Dana   H  .  .  . .    265 

Clifford.  Billy  S 196 

Coes.   Geo.   H 357 

Cogill,    C.    W 2-:,3 

Cohan.    Geo.    .M 196 

Cohan.    Jerry     196 

Cohen.    Sallie    273 

Collier.    Willie    107 

ColliiT^,   Ben 133 

Collins.    Frank    3(11 

Collins.    Lew 361 

Comfort.  Vaughn....  313 
Connors,  Jimmy  ....  253 
Constantine.     Harrv..   201 


Converse,    Frank    B..   349 

Cook.  James    361 

Cooper.    Fred 253 

Corbett.  Jas.  J.  ..125,  196 
Corbin.   Edmond  G...      53 

Cornu.    E.    J 105 

Cotton.    Ben 89 

Cotton.    Ben.    Jr 349 

Courtright,  Billy  ....  165 
Cox.    Will    ( see    Wm. 

West)     loi 

Crane.    Wm.    H 197 

Cronin.    Tim 357 

Cummings.  Jas.  H  .  .  .  81 
Cunningham.  Geo.  W.  321 
Cushman.    Frank    ....      77 

D 

Daly,    Bill     337 

Daly,   Dan    49 

Daly,  John   293 

Daly,  Tom    337 

Dart,    Fred 109 

Davis,    Lewis    H 321 

Day,  Chas.'  H 365 

De    .Angelis.    Jeff 197 

Delehanty.  Wm.  H...  301 
Delmanning  Bros.  . .  .  289 
Deming.    .\rthur     ....    129 

De    Rue.    Billy 137 

De    Rue.    Bobby 137 

De   Vere.    Geo.   },!....     29 

Devere.    Sam 37 

Di.xey.    E.    Freeman....    113 

Dixey.   Henry  E 197 

"Dixie",   first  per- 
formance   of    185 

Dixon,   Thos.    B 281 

Dockstader.  Chas.  .  .  .  249 
Dockstader,    Lew. 

249.  Facing  274 
Donniker,    John    B  . .  .    105 

Doty.  J.   .\rthur 201 

Dougherty.    Hughey.  .      85 

Dove,  Johnny    341 

Dukelan.  "Slim  Jim." 

305 -.?09 

Dumont.    Frank    313 

Duprez.    Chas    H 141 

Du    Rell.    Ed 337 

Du  Rell.  Frank 337 

E 

Eagan.    Hubert    W...     41 

Edwards.    Bob 21 

Edwards.   Geo 41 

Ellis.  Harry  A 25-305 

Ellwood.    Lincoln    .  .  .    241 

Emerson.   Billy 29-237 

Emerson,  Mrs.  Billy.  209 
Emerson,  Mort.  ..  .337-361 


Index   to   Illustrations 


Emmett,    Dan 13 

Emniett,  J.   K 49 

English.  Tom    149 

Ernest,    Chas.    M 89 

Escott.   Dick    309 

'Eugene" 109-^41 

Evans,   Chas.   E 249 

Evans,    Geo 293 

Ewers,  Wm 309 

F 

Fagan,    Barney    341 

Field,   W.    G 121 

Fields,  John   F.... 277-317 

Fields,    Lew 197 

Foley,   Johnny    305 

Foley,  Willie   305 

Foote.    Wm 365 

Forrest,    Edwin    49 

Fox,    Charley     353 

Fox,    Eddie    105 

Fox,    Jas 277 

Fox,   Joe :-,i 

Foy,    Eddie    196 

France,   Sid.    C 149 

Eraser.    Bob 181 

Fredericks.  Chas 165 

Freeze.  Billy   137 

Freeze,  Larry 13" 

French,   Chas.    K 149 

Frencli.   Edwin    53 

Friganza.  Trixie  ....  273 
Frohman,  Chas.  .  .  197-285 
Frohman.  Daniel    ....    Hi7 

Frohman,   Gus 285 

Frothingham,    Geo...    125 

G 

Gale,   Geo 103 

Gardner,    Charley    ...  25 

Gardner,    Sam ^^i 

Gaylord,    Low.,  facing  120 

Germon.    Francis    ....  60 

Gcttings.   Tommy    .  .  .  2},^ 

Gever.     Frank    C I77 

GFbbs.   Clark   M loi 

Gibson,    .\lf 169 

Gilbert,    John    D 177 

Gilmore,    Barney    ....  196 

Gilmore,    P.    S 49 

Girard,    Eddie    57 

Girard,    Frank     73 

Girard.   Willie    57 

Gladdish,    Fred 305 

Glenn,    Jas 181 

Golden,    Richard    ....  49 

Goldrich.   Pete ^z 

Goodman,   "Hank"    . .  65 

Goodwin,    Xat.    C...  106 

Gorman,    Geo 157 

Gorman,   James    157 

Gorman,    John    157 

Goss,  Ned 277 

Gould,    Julia    145 

Granger,    Tommy    .  .  .  161 


Gray,    Billy    229 

Gray,   Geo 217 

Green.  J.   E 229 

Greenland,  \ed 365 

Grier,    \V.    P 165 

Griffin,  G.  W.  H i^i 

Griffin,   Jas.    H 277 

Guy,  .\rthur  L 257 

Guy,  .Mrs.  .Arthur  L..     81 

Guy,    Geo.    R 121-133 

Guy,   Willie    133 

H 

Hague,  Sam 97 

Haines.    Xat 77 

Hall,    .Artie     273 

Hall.  Bob 105 

Hall.    E.    M 265 

Hallett.    Wm.    H..   305-313 

Hanson,    Frank    317 

Harley,    Geo.    W 281 

Harper,  Xed 9 

Harrigan.  Xed 289 

Harrington,  Geo.  .\..      69 

Harrington,  J.   C 253 

Hams.    Chas.    K 197 

H  arris.  Wm 197 

Hart,    Bob 85 

Hart,   Jerry    169 

Hart.  John   20 

Hart.   Tijny    289 

Havcrlv,   Burt 97 

Havcrly.    J.    H., 

lacing   120 
Havcrly,    Mrs.    Jack..    20•^ 

Hawkins.  Lew 133 

Haye>.   Tim 233 

Heath,  Thos.   K.. 

facing  255 
Hengler.    Thos.    ^L  .  .    301 

Henry,    Chas 217 

Henry.     Hi facing   120 

Herman.    J.    A 217 

Herne,    Jas.    .\ 49 

Heywood.    Chas 241 

Milliard.    Chas 260 

Hincs.  Wm.    E 173 

Hitchcock,    Raymond, 

125-106 

Hodges.  D.  B 365 

Hoey,    Wm.    F 277 

Hogan.   Gus 357 

Hogan,    Harry    357 

Hogan.   John    P 133 

Holden.   Jas 105 

Holmes,    Edwin    141 

Hoolcy,    R.    .\r 121 

Hopper,   De  Wolf....    196 

Horan.    Eddie    341 

Horn,    Eph 181-225 

Horwitz.   Chas 197 

Howard.    Charley    .  .  .    353 
Howard.    Frank 

( Martindale)    193 

Howard,   Harry    305 

Howard,    Rollin    109 


Huber,    Fred 113 

Hughes,  .\rchie    113 

Hughes,    .Artie    177 

Hughes,   Ruey 133 

Hunneman,   Chas.    .  . .  105 

Huntley,    Wm.    A....  53 

Hyde,  Tommy    341 

J 

Jansen,   J.    Melville...  57 

"Japanese    Tommy"..  1O5 

Jetferson,    Jos 49 

Jerome,    Billy    196 

Johnson,   .Arthur    ....  2^2> 

Johnson,    Carroll    ....  205 

Jolson.   .Al facing  363 

Jolson,   Harry   257 

Jose,    Richard   J 193 

Kanane.    Mike     2^^ 

Kayne.    E.    M m 

Ke Herd,  John  E 107 

Kelly,    Chas 165 

Kelly,    Ed 253 

Kelly,    Edwin    165 

Kelly,   Jinimv    2^;^ 

Kelly.    J.    W' 49 

Kelly,    .Xolan    361 

Kemble.   J.    R ^^^^ 

Kemble,   Mrs.  J.   R...  200 

Kennedy.    Edw.    J....  177 

Kent,    I'rank    141 

Kernell.   Harry   40 

Kerns.    Frank    25 

King,  John  IT.  facing  120 

L 

Lackaye.    Wilton    ....  107 

Lamont    &    Ducrow..  133 

Lang.   John    2&1 

Lansing,   Harry    201 

La    Rue.    D.    C 121 

Latham.    Mike     305 

Lavake.  Will    loi 

Lee,    John    H 280 

Lee,    Pete 113 

Lee.   Sam    257 

Lehr,    Harry    145 

Lcighton.    Bert 137 

Leighton.    Frank    ....  137 

"Leon"     i0')-i65 

Leonard.    Eddie    305 

Leslie.    Bert I'i6 

Leslie.   T.im 217 

Lester,    Billy    2\ 

Lewis,    Tom 33 

Lewis,    W.    H 141 

Linden,   Ernest   241 

"Little   .Mac"   73 

Livermore.   C 213 

Livermore,  G 213 

Livermore,   H -3 

Livermore,    L 21;^ 

Lockwood,    Chas.     .  .  .  217 


Iiide.v   to   Illustrations 


Lorraine,    Chas.    F...  213 

"Lotta"    273 

Lovely,    Joe 349 

Lyons,    Billy    241 

M 

Mack,  Andrew    197 

Mack,    James    201  - 

Mack,    Jas.    W 349 

Mack,   John   A 65 

Mack,    Keller    H 

Mackin.  Jas.  F...  153-293 
!Ma!colm.     Freil.    B.  . .   241 

Manning,    Billy    237 

Mannnig,  Mrs.  Billy.  209 
Marion.  Herman  ....  321 
Marks.    Clarence    ....   257 

"Master"   Barney 120 

Maxwell.    Barry    80 

Mazier.    Eddie     257 

McAllister,  Billy  •  •  •  ■  4i 
Mc.Andrews.  J.   W. . .  .    i6r 

McElroy,    Matt 29 

McGee.  Joe  B   160 

Mclntyre.  Jas.,   lacing  255 

McKee,  .Andv   ,121 

McXish.   Frank  E..  ..      25 

Melville.    Chas 217 

Meyering.    Frank    ....   300 

Mills.  Gus 201 

Monroe.    Xed iZ 

JMontgomery,    Dave 

153-196 
Montgiiniory, 

"Scamp"     329 

Moore.    "Pony"     ..    65-225 

Moran.  Frank   85 

Morcland.    .\rthnr    ...    313 

Morrell,    Frank    103 

Morns.   Billy    117 

Morris,    Chas    .A 121 

Morris,   Lon 117 

Morse,  Harry   M 313 

iMorton,    J,    W 301 

iMorton,    \\'ill    H 333 

Mudge.  "H.-ink"    149 

Mullally.    \V.    S 105 

Mulligan.    John     41 

Mulligan.    .Mrs.   John.    200 
Murphy,    Joo.     ...    113-153 

Murphv,  J.    B 217 

Myer?,'  "Ole    Bull"...     21 

N 

Xewcomb.   Bobby    .  .  .    233 
Xewcomb,   .Mrs. 

Bobby    209 

Xewcomb.    \V.   \V....     65 

Xiles.    P.    T 249 

X'orcross.    Jos.    M....   313 

X'orman,   Harry    165 

Norton,  Wash 22Z 

O 

Oakland,    Will    249 


Oberist,   John    F 217 

O'Brien,    John     253 

O'Brien,    Xeil 

305,  facing  330 

O'Day,    Billy     3^9 

Olcott,    Chauncey    . .  .    iq6 

P 

Palmer,    Chas.    C 309 

Parker.    Lew 41 

Parr.    Chas 305 

Pastor.    Tony    49 

Patti,   Greg 145 

Pay  ton.    Corse    196 

Pearl.    Charley    2S9 

Peasley,   John    .A 81 

Peel,    Nfatt 65 

Peel.    Tommy    349 

Pelham.    Dick    13 

Pell,    Gilbert    \V 69 

Pell,    Harrv    85 

Pell.    Jas 3i 

Pell.   Johnny    1 17 

Pendy.    John 4t 

Petteugill.   Charley    ..  353 
Pettengdl.   Mrs. 

Charley    209 

Pickert.  'Willis    341 

Powers,   Jas.    T 107 

Prendergast.  Tom. .  .  .  217 
Primrose.   Geo.    H.  293-305 

Purdy.    S.     S 149 

Q 

Queen.    Chas.  ..  facing  120 

Queen,  John    81 

Queen.  Johnny    173 

Quilter.    Dick    33 

R 

Ralph.    Dick    221 

Raymond.    Maude    .  .  .    273 

Raynor.    J.     W 03 

Read,    Beaumont    ....    165 

Reed,    Charley    353 

Reed,    Dave 113 

Reynolds,    Chas 317 

Reynolds.     Charley...   353 

Reynolds.    Geo 317 

"Ricardo."     201 

Rice.    Billy    73-'6l 

Rice.  Mrs.   Billy   20Q 

Rice,   "Daddy"    9 

Rice.   Dan 49 

Rice,   Edw.   Le  Roy. 

Frontispiece.   2-305 

Rice.  Johnny   57 

Rice.    John    C...    106-277 
Rice.   \Vm.   Henry, 

81-141-237 
Ricliardson,  Billy  ....  85 
Richmond.  Harry  G..     89 

Rickey.  Sam 129 

Rigby,  .Arthur   C 129 


Robinson,   Harry   ....  121 

Robinson.  Justin    ....  241 

Rockefeller.    Geo.    \V.  145 

Roe,    Harry    \V 281 

Rogers.   Xeil    89 

Rogers,   Stevie    321 

Romain,    Manuel    ....  193 

Rumsey,    Hy 53 

Rushby,  Horace   281 

Russell.    Jas.    G 165 

Ryman,    .Add 245 

s 

Sandford.    Jim    21 

Sands,    Edw 177 

Sanford,    Jas 81 

Sanford.    Sam S7 

Schoolcraft.  Luke 357 

Scott.   \Vm ,..    305 

Seamon,    Chas.    V....    177 

Seymour.   Xelse 65  99 

Sharpley,  Sam 37 

Shaw.    Raymond    ....    281 

Shay,   Johnny    97 

Sheffer.   "Buck"    301 

Shelby,    Dan 41 

Shepard.    Burt 241 

Sheppard,    Billy    233 

Sheppard,    Bob 181 

Sheppard,    Frank    ....   361 
Sheridan,    John    F....   349 

Shirley.    Harry    281 

Shunk.    Harry    C 77 

Simmons.    Lew 173 

Sinclair.    Geo 305 

Sitgreaves,     Ceverlv..   273 

Skiff.    M.   T 97 

Skinner,    Otis    197 

Slavin,    Bob 97 

Sliter.    Dick    ._ 233 

Slocum.   E.   X 333 

Slocum,    Mrs.    E.    X..   209 

Smith.   Harry  \V loi 

Smith,  John   P 365 

Smith,    \Vm.    H 365 

Spooner,  Cecil   273 

Spooner,    Edna    May.    273 

Stanley.   Burton    201 

Stanwood,    Harry    ...   265 
Stanwood.    Moody     .  .     60 

Stine,    Chas.    J 77 

Stone,    Fred 153-106 

Stratton.    Eugene     ...     07 
Strickland.    W.    H  .  .  .  .    365 

"Stuart"     201 

Sullivan.  John   L 196 

Surridge.   J.    H 165 

Sutton.   Charley    353 

Sweatnam,   Willis  P  . .      29 

Sweeney,    Dick     9 

Sweeney,  Joe 9-185 

T 

Talbott.    Harry     113 

Templeton.    Chas.    ...   217 


Index   to    Illustrations 


Thatcher,    Geo 203 

Thomas,    Wally    J33 

Thompson,     Denman.  197 

Thompson.    Johnny..  25 

Thompson.    John    W.  07 
Tierney,  Jas. 

_(T.    &    W.) 173 

Tierney,  Jas.  M. 

(T.    &    C.) 357 

Tilla.    Hay  don     j8i 

Trowbridge.   Jos.    T..  117 

Turner.    Tommy    ....  177 

Tyrrell,    Bob jSr 

U 

Unsworth.    James    ...  85 

V 

Van,    Billy    169 

Van,    Billy    B 197 

Vaughn,    Tom 45 

Vernon,    Paul    241 

Vokes,    Harry     197 

W 

Wag-ner, 

"Happy"  Cal 97-161 


\\'aldron,    Dan 20 

Wallace.    Franklyn    .  .   305 

Wambold,   Dave 117 

Ward.    Frank    25 

Ward.   "Hap"    197 

Ward,   W'm.    H 33 

Warlield,    Tom 265 

Warner,  Chas.  F....  309 
Waters,    Tom, 

(Waters    &    Kelly).   361 

Waters,    Tom 89 

Wayne.    Burt 340 

W'ayne.    Chas 173 

Weaver,  .\dd 245 

Weber.    Jos 197 

Welbv.    lake    289 

Welch.    Billy    57-285 

Welch,    i'ayette    65 

Wells.    Sam 333 

Weslyn,    Everett    ....   317 

West,    Luke  ' 129 

West,    Xed    129 

West.    Wm. 

(see    Will    Cox) ....    173 

West.    Wm.    H 333 

Wheeler.    Matt loi 


White.    Archie    205 

White,   Chas.   T 229 

White,    "Cool"     .  .  .    21-245 

White,   Frank   H I73 

White.    Wm 69 

Whitlock,    Billy    13 

Wild,    Frank    245 

Wild,    John    245 

Wilkes,    Geo 201 

Williams.    Barney    ...     49 

Williams,    Bert 297 

Williams,    Billy    I77 

Williams,    Percy    G..    196 

Williams.   Tom 221 

Willis.   Oscar    53 

Wills,   Nat 196 

Wilson.    Chas 8i 

Wilson.    Dave loi 

\N'ilson   .Francis    ..153-197 

Wilson.    Fred 225 

Wilson,    Geo 293 

Winter,    Banks    I93 

Wood.    Billy    361 

Woodson,    Harry    . .  .   205 

y 

Yeamans,   Jennie    ....   273 


MINSTREL  ORGANIZATIONS,  THEATRES  AND 

PROGRAMS 


Barlow,   Wilson  &  Rankin's 261 

Bryant's    (  Prosxram )     185 

Cailan.   Haley  &  Callan's 213 

Callender's     285 

Campbell's    93 

Christy's    45 

Christy's    17 

Cohan  &  Harris' 325 

Duprez  &  Green's 141 

Eleventh  Street  Opera  House. 

Philadelphia     61 


Ethirpian    Serenaders    69 

Federal    Theatre.    Boston S 

"Lambs"   Minstrels    345 

Mechanics    Hall.   Xew   York 61 

Morris  Bros..  Pell  &  Trowbridge's, 

Boston  117 

Robinson's   Harry    189 

San  Franciscos,  .\'ew  York n/ 

Sweeney,   Joe    (  Program  ) 185 

Virginia  Serenaders   21 


SKETCH  OF  THE  AUTHOR,  WITH  PERSONAL  RECOLLECTIONS. 

Let  me  begin  by  saying  that  I  am  not  a  "Mon- 
arch of  Minstrelsy,"  not  even  a  duke  or  prince; 
as  a  matter  of  fact  I  am  a  mere  subject,  perhaps  it 
would  be  more  exact  to  say  I  am  a  slave,  for  I 
cannot  recall  the  time  when  the  curtain  having  been 
rung  up  on  the  first  part,  the  interlocutor  saying, 
"Gentlemen,  be  seated,"  that  it  did  not  thrill  me 
through  and  through :  in  all  probability  they  would 
have  been  seated  without  his  invitation,  but  still. 
disappointment  would  have  been  keen  had  he  not 
have  done  so.  Then -the  overture  accompanied  by 
the  bones  and  tambos ;  but  that  part  of  the  perform- 
ance seems  to  be  obsolete  now ;  and  how  I  yearn 
for  it.  The  second  son  of  the  late  \Vm.  Henry 
„^        .  ,,.  Rice,  who  put  on  cork  for  nearly  fifty  years,  I  was 

"The  Inception  of  Negro  ^^^_^^^  .^  ^^^^  ^ork  City,  August  24.  1871.  on  Four- 

\1tMSTRFLSY  -'•:;' 

teenth  Street,  nearly  opposite  the  Armory,  above 
Sixth  Avenue.  If  you  happen  to  see  a  crowd  around  there  at  any  time,  you  will 
know  it  is  part  of  the  excited  populace  trying  to  carry  away  portions  of  the  build- 
ing which  housed  me  on  my  first  appearance  in  any  country. 

I  can  remember,  as  a  youngster  even  before  my  school  days  began,  my 
father  asking  me  if  I  wanted  to  be  a  minstrel?  I  knew  that  my  mother  was 
averse  to  it  and.  as  they  both  looked  at  me  awaiting  my  reply,  I  vehemently 
said  NO :  that  was  the  first  lie  I  ever  told.  I  have  done  better  subsequently,  but 
they  have  no  bearing  on  this  matter.  When  I  was  about  six  or  eight  years 
of  age,  my  father,  wishing  to  celebrate  the  occasion  in  a  fitting  manner,  took 
me  down  town  (  Philadelphia  )  and  giving  me  my  choice  to  go  in  one  direction 
and  see  "Jack  the  Giant  Killer,"  or  take  another  route  and  see  the  minstrels.  I 
had  heard  a  whole  lot  about  the  youthful  prodigy  who  made  a  business  of  trim- 
ming big  husky  gents  for  the  sake  of  getting  an  appetite  that  he  might  better 
enjoy  his  meals,  and  confess  to  a  feeling  of  curiosity;  but  it  was  the  "nigger 
singers"  for  mine,  and  it  was  there  that  I  obtained  my  first  recollection  of  any 
individual  performer.  It  was  Bobby  Newcomb  doing  Topsy.  Whether  it  was 
an  "Uncle  Tom"  show,  with  which  the  late  minstrel  was  prominently  identified 
at  one  time,  or  whether  it  was  a  burletta  on  Mrs.  Stowe's  immortal  work,  I 
never  learned,  but  Xewcomb's  dress,  a  ragbag  affair.  I  remember  distinctly, 
subsequently,  one  made  from  an  .American  flag,  finishing  with  the  well-known 
suit  of  white  duck  in  knee-breeches.  That  was  the  beginning.  I  decided  then 
that  a  minstrel's  life  was  the  life  for  me.  and  for  years  I  importuned  my  father 
to  take  me  on  the  road  with  him.  finally  obtaining  a  promise  to  go  the  next 
time  he  took  a  show  out.  This  was  somewhat  hazy,  but  I  clung  to  it  tenaciously, 
and  when  in  July.  1890.  he  organized  the  World's  Fair  Minstrels,  my  happiness 
was  unbounded.  I  was  in  Philadelphia  at  the  time,  passing  cigars  and  tobacco 
over  the  counter  of  a  Smoke  Emporium  presided  over  by  Lew  Simmons,  one 


2  MO N ARCH S  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

of  the  oldest  active  minstrels  in  harness  to-day;  observe  the  date  again,  please. 
July,  1890,  was  it  not?  At  that  time  Lew  had  given  up  the  minstrel  business 
entirely.  I  recall  Lew  Dockstader  dropping  in  one  day  and  inquiring  how  he 
(Simmons)  liked  the  business?  "Like  it?"  said  the  senior  Lew,  "why  I  am 
perfectly  happy;  I  wouldn't  go  back  in  the  business  again  for  $100  per  week." 
(I  remember  it  was  PER  week.)  But  he  did,  a  couple  of  years  later,  and  from 
all  appearances  looks  good  for  a  few  more.  I  joined  my  father's  troupe.  We 
opened  at  Elizabeth.  X.  J.,  on  July  i-th.  In  the  company  were  Billy  Bircn, 
Frank  Moran,  Frank  Kent  and  Bob  Slavin ;  all  since  passed  away. 

Old  minstrel  habitues  will  recall  that  nigger-act  wherein  one  of  the  per- 
formers declares  loudly  to  his  friends  that  he  is  boss  in  his  own  home,  how  he 
rules  the  ranch  and  so  on;  and  just  as  he  is  saying  if  his  wife  would  show  up 
then  he  would  int^ict  dire  punishment  upon  her,  she  comes  running  down  the 
aisle  from  the  front  of  the  house  saying,  "'Where's  my  husband?"  gathers  her 
lesser  half  by  the  ear  and    amidst   the  jeers  of  his  companions,  carries  him  away. 

At  the  second  performance,  at  IMorristown,  N.  J.,  I  was  cast  for  the  en- 
raged spouse.  I  believe  I  was  made  up  for  the  part  fully  an  hour  before  the 
house  opened.  How  nervous  I  was  awaiting  my  cue,  but  when  it  came,  my  ears 
seemed  to  hear  nothing  but  wife,  wife,  wife,  and  instead  of  saying,  "Where's 
my    husband?"    I    said,    "Where's    my    wife?"     *     *     *     i    won't    repeat    what 


Being  a  Truthful  Portrayal  of  the  Author's  First  Appearance  on  Any  Stage; 
JVIorristown,  N.  J.,  July  18,  1890. 


FROM  -'DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  3 

my  father  said,  but  what  with  the  tears  of  mortification  that  flowed  from  my 
eyes  and  the  perspiration  from  the  pores  of  my  face,  almost  made  washing-iip  a 
superfluity. 

After  that  awful  first  night  I  got  away  with  the  part  without  any  trouble, 
and  even  indulged  in  conversations  while  awaiting  my  cue.  which  I  had  always 
thought  to  be  a  physical  impossibility. 

Billy  Birch,  who  was  with  us,  used  to  suffer  severely  from  rheumatism,  and 
just  before  parade  would  say  to  me,  "  'Cully.'  would  you  mind  going  over  to 
the  hotel,  on  the  bureau,  right  hand  side,  and  get  my  medicine?"  Would  I  go? 
I  felt  honored. 

At  the  opening  performance  we  had  a  song  and  dance  team  who,  like  myr 
self,  were  just  breaking  into  the  business.  Their  act  was  not  an  unqualified 
success  and  extra  tickets  to  Alorristown  were  not  purchased.  Some  one  asked 
Bob  Slavin  what  he  thought  of  the  act.  to  which  he  replied:  "As  a  success,  they're 
a  failure;  as  a  failure,  they're  a  success." 

The  company  closed  early  in  November  and  a  couple  of  weeks  before 
Christmas  I  consented  to  wrap  parcels  at  W'anamaker's  store  in  Philadelphia 
for  a  small  weekly  stipend.  It  was  hard  to  work  for  wages  after  having  re- 
ceived a  salary. 

Various  mercantile  positions  were  mine  until  the  Fall  of  1894.  when  the 
late  Harry  Mann  opened  the  old  Arch  Street  Theatre  in  Philadelphia  for  the 
production  of  the  old  farces  such  as  "Box  and  Cox"  and  others  of  a  like  nature. 
I  had  heard  that  there  were  to  be  specialties  between  the  acts,  wrote  for  an 
engagement  and  shortly  afterwards  received  a  reply  from  Mr.  Mann  asking 
me  to  call.  (I  have  that  letter  yet.)  I  told  him  that  I  had  a  black-face  mono- 
logue that  was  absolutely  original ;  he  told  me  that  he  could  get  Willis  P. 
Sweatnam,  but  decided  to  give  me  the  preference,  I  was  quick  to  reply  that  I 
wasn't  as  good  as  Sweatnam.  (I  was  frightfully  modest  those  days.)  However, 
I  was  engaged,  and  was  to  receive  $10  for  my  week's  services;  I  was  certain 
he  could  not  get  Sweatnam  for  less  than  $12.50  or  ])ossibly  $15.  Monday.  Sep- 
tember 24,  we  opened ;  I  wore  a  pale-blue  suit  and  a  pleasant  expression ;  on 
Tuesday  I  still  had  the  suit,  but  had  lost  the  expression,  caused  by  the  sudden 
closing  of  the  house.  I  have  always  maintained  tliat  if  I  had  been  billed  stronger, 
the  house  might  have  remained  open  longer;  possibly  another  night;  the  $1.67 
due  me  for  my  one  performance,  I  never  received,  but  as  compensation,  one 
of  the  papers  said  that  my  monologue,  besides  being  good  in  itself,  was  ex- 
cellently rendered.  It's  not  true  that  the  reporter  who  wrote  this,  attended  a 
prizefight  that  evening.  I  banked  a  whole  lot  on  that  blue  suit ;  it  was  part 
of  my  plan  to  be  different  from  any  other  monologist,  and  I  still  think  I  was. 
Instead  of  making  my  entrance  in  the  conventional  manner.  I  hit  upon  the  idea 
of  having  one  of  the  scenes  part  in  the  centre,  and  then  walk  on  saying,  "I 
just  blew  in,"  carelessly  pointing  to  my  blue  suit  at  the  same  time. 

The  more  I  thought  of  this,  the  greater  the  sensation  I  was  sure  I  would 
create;  I  pictured  the  reserves  being  called  upon  to  quell  the  riot;  I  saw  myself 
taking  encore  after  encore,  and  conjured  the  immense  audience  rising  in  their 
seats  as  one,  begging  for  just  one  more  glimpse  of  that  blue  suit;  I  was  so  sure 
of  my  success  to  be,  that  in  a  burst  of  confidence,  I  told  a  friend  about  my  idea, 
and  was  horrified  to  learn  that  George  Thatcher  had  done  the  self-same  thing 
some  time  before.  Here  was  a  dilemma,  what  was  I  to  do?  I  had  known 
Thatcher  from  boyhood,  and  the  idea  of  utilizing  any  of  his  ideas  was  -"-it  to 


4  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

be  thought  of;  fortunately,  about  this  time,  he  (Thatcher)  played  an  engage- 
ment at  the  National  Theatre  (Philadelphia),  and  I  decided  to  see  him  and 
explain  the  situation  thoroughly.  I  found  him  one  evening  standing  on  the 
steps  of  the  theatre;  I  told  the  whole  story,  reserving  nothing,  and  explained 
that  I  was  willing  to  relinquish  my  idea  if  he  thought  it  would  conflict  with  him 
in  any  way,  but  with  rare  generosity  he  agreed  not  to  prosecute  me  for  plagarism 
or  piracy. 

A  week  later  I  opened  at  Easton,  Pa.  I  had  a  cold  in  the  head  and  an  old 
wig;  the  cold  I  obtained  in  Philadelphia,  the  wig  in  Easton,  it  was  an  old  one 
(the  wig)  having  lost  my  good  one  in  Philly  the  week  previous.  *  *  *  An 
uncle  of  mine  graciously  advanced  me  the  price  of  a  ticket  to  Philadelphia. 
*  *  *  The  watch  was  worth  considerably  more  than  $2.  Six  months  later 
I  might  have  been  seen  doing  my  specialty  in  Paterson,  N.  J. ;  provided  you 
came  Monday  afternoon.  *  *  *  A  performer  in  the  same  dressing-room 
asked  me  how  much  I  paid  for  my  trunk,  which  was  a  duplicate  of  his;  $6  I 
said;  why,  I  paid  $12  for  mine,  he  averred.  And  that  was  all  I  got  out  of  the 
engagement.  But  that  suit,  little  did  the  young  lady  who  made  it  for  me  dream 
it  would  one  day  become  historical ;  she  is  now  a  sedate  matron  in  Detroit. 
Wonder  if  she  still  remembers  it? 

In  tlie  fall  of  1898  I  was  a  member  of  one  of  the  many  California  Min- 
strel organizations  that  have  invaded  the  country  in  the  past  fifty  years.  The 
Spring  and  Summer  of  1900  found  me  selling  pasteboards  to  the  Southerners 
while  with  the  Primrose  &  Dockstader  Minstrels ;  in  the  Fall  of  igoo  I  was 
agent  for  Andrew  Robson  in  "The  Royal  Box ;"  1901-02,  agent  for  "Pud'dn- 
head  Wilson,"  with  William  S.  Gill  in  the  name  part.  Walker  Whiteside,  and 
a  return  to  Primrose  &  Dockstader;  1902-03,  manager,  Western  Alphonse  & 
Gaston  Co. ;  1903-04,  treasurer,  Great  Lafayette  Company. 

At  various  times  I  acted  as  usher  and  lithographer  at  the  Park,  Walnut 
and  Arch  Street  Theatres  in  Philadelphia;  Columbus  Theatre,  New  York  City, 
and  the  Park  in  Brooklyn. 

In  July,  1907,  I  conceived  the  idea  of  appearing  daily  at  the  ball  games  in 
New  York  City,  and  in  the  following  afternoon's  paper  give  an  accurate  ac- 
count of  the  conversations  entered  into,  together  with  the  description  of  the 
parties  spoken  to ;  in  addition  having  my  own  features  reproduced  daily  to- 
gether with  an  accurate  description  of  myself;  to  any  party  who  could  single 
me  out  was  given  a  free  pass  to  all  the  ball  games  on  the  ground  where  I  was 
detected. 

Under  the  title  of  the  "Man  in  the  Bleachers"  I  ran. those  on  the  New  York 
Evening  World  with  great- success  forifive  weeks. 

Then  came  the  idea  of  giving  to  the  world  the  lives  and  careers  of  the  min- 
strels, thus  "presenting  to  the  public  and  preserving  to  posterity  the  peculiar- 
ities and  personalities  of  prominent  performers  of  the  past  and  present;"  and 
here  it  is,  after  three  years'  exha;ustive  and  patient  labor.  Now  for  the  big 
show. 


FROM  -DADDY'-  RICE  TO  DATE. 


THE   FIRST   BLACK-FACE   PERFORMER. 

The  late  Laurence  Hutton  in  "The  Negro  on  the  Stage,"  states  that  Shake- 
speare's Othello  was  one  of  the  earliest  black-face  stage  characters;  giving 
the  date  of  the  appearance  at  the  Globe  Theatre,  London,  England,  on  April 
30,  1610;  Oronoko  followed  in  1696.  But  several  hundred  years  before  the 
jealous  Moor's  appearance,  a  couple  of  young  men,  named  Cain  and  Abel 
respectively,  did  a  brother  act,  though  not  necessarily  a  brotherly  act,  for  the 
first-named  gentleman  one  day  in  a  fit  of  peevishness  did  smite  Master  Abel 
with  such  force  that  the  breath  did  leave  his  body ;  Cain  was  punished,  as  he 
should  have  been;  his  complexion  was  changed  from  Caucasian  to  Ethiopian; 
this  was  the  first  black  face  turn.  Anyway,  that's  how  the  story  runs.  With  the 
reader's  permission  we  will  skip  about  1,700  years,  and  come  down  to  the  com- 
parative present. 

The  late  Charles  T.  White,  who  made  a  study  of  minstrelsy  all  his  life  and 
was  himself  contemporaneous  with  it  from  its  inception,  stated  that  according 
to  Russell's  Boston  Gazette  of  December  30,  1799,  at  the  Federal  Theatre, 
Boston,  a  Mr.  Granpner  sang  a  song  called  "The  Negro  Boy." 


Federal  Theatre,  Boston,  Mass. 
The  First  Recorded  Black-Face  Act  Was  Given  Here  Deccmb'Cr  30.   1799. 


6  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

W.  W.  Clapp,  Jr.,  in  his  "History  of  the  Boston  Stage,"  avers  that  this 
would  be  impossible,  as  the  news  of  George  Washington's  death,  December 
14,  1799,  did  not  reach  Boston  until  December  24,  and  that  the  theatre  was 
closed  a  week  in  consequence  thereof.  Granting  this,  six  days  would  have 
elapsed,  and  the  performance  undoubtedly  was  given,  for  had  it  not,  the  adver- 
tisement which  was  inserted  announcing  the  performance  for  that  evening, 
would  not  under  any  circumstances  have  been  printed.  However,  for  the  sake 
of  argument,  let  us  concede  that  the  first  black-face  appearance  (the  term 
black-face  as  used  here  has  reference  to  a  single  performer  doing  a  specialty) 
was  not  on  the  date  specified. 

The  next  mention  of  a  black-face  performer,  by 'Mr.  White,  was  in  1815, 
when  an  actor  known  as  "Pot  Pie"  Herbert  sang  "The  Battle  of  Plattsburg" 
in  Albany;  Mr.  H.  D.  Stone  in  the  "Drama,"  published  in  Albany  in  1873,  cred- 
its one  "Hop"  Robinson  as  the  singer  of  the  song;  while  "Sol"  Smith,  a  reputed 
eye-witness,  in  his  (Smith's)  autobiography,  published  in  1868,  credits  it  to 
Andrew  Jackson  Allen,  claiming  that  Allen  sang  it  at  the  Green  Street  Theatre, 
Albany.  1815,  playing  a  black-face  character.  Obviously  there  could  be  but 
one  "first"  and  a  period  of  fifteen  years  had  apparently  elapsed  between  the 
reputed  appearance  of  Mr.  Graupner  and  the  last  named  gentleman ;  in  other 
words,  no  claims  have  been  made  for  others  between  1799  and  1815.  Never- 
theless, there  zvas  an  appearance  between  these  dates,  and  by  none  other  than 
Mr.  Graupner  himself,  who,  on  September  4,  1809  (while  "Daddy"  Rice  was 
an  infant  in  swaddling  clothes),  appeared  as  the  "Gay  Negro  Boy"  in  a  circus  at 
Taunton,  Mass. ;  the  honor  then  beyond  any  doubt  is  Mr.  Graupner's ;  and 
equally  certain  is  the  fact  that  he  appeared  in  Boston,  December  30,  1799.  Black- 
face performers  sprang  up  rapidly,  and  in  earlier  days  no  circus  was  considered 
complete  without  at  least  one  of  them. 

SOME  EARLY  BLACK-FACE  PERFORMERS. 

The  following  were  all  popular  performers  preceding  minstrelsy  proper; 
unfortunately  the  dates  of  their  deaths  are  practically  shrouded  in  oblivion : 

George  Nichols ;  Bob.  Farrell,  the  original  "Zip  Coon" ;  Sam  Tatnall, 
Barney  Burns,  Bill  Keller,  Horatio  Eversell,  George  Rice  (brother  of  T.  D. 
Rice),  William  J\L  Hall,  Thomas  Blakely,  Leicester,  etc.  Andrew  Jackson 
Allen,  already  mentioned,  was  born  in  New  York  City  in  1776,  and  according 
to  Laurence  Hutton  was  the  costumer,  dresser  and  personal  slave  of  Edwin 
Forrest  for  many  years ;  he  was  quite  deaf,  and  was  commonly  known  as 
"Dummy"  Allen.  He  died  in  New  York  City,  October  29,  1853.  James  Rob- 
erts, by  the  same  authority,  sang  a  song  in  negro  character  as  early  as  October 
7,  1824;  he  died  in  1833. 

George  Washington  Dixon  song  "Coal  Black  Rose,"  the  air  of  which  was 
appropriated  from  an  old  ballad,  as  early  as  1827.  His  first  New  York  ap- 
pearance was  of  the  Lafayette  Theatre,  July  19,  1828.  He  later  became  no- 
torious as  a  filibuster  during  the  Yucatan  disturbances,  and  died  in  New  Orleans 
in  1861.  Some  prominent  early  minstrel  performers  whose  records  and  deaths 
were  likewise  lost  in  oblivion  are:  Charley  Jenkins,  Master  Chestnut,  Harry 
Mestayer,  Neil  Jamison  and  many  more.  There  are  others,  too,  of  nearly  every 
decade  of  whom  the  author  has  made  every  research  to  gather  some  knowledge, 
but  without  success. 


FROM  '•DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  7 

"DADDY"  RICE. 

Thomas  Dartmouth  Rice  was  the  original  "Jim  Crow,"  the  story  has  been 
told  in  many  ways,  but  the  authentic  version  appeared  in  the  Atlantic  Monthly 
in  1867,  and  herewith  is  reproduced  verbatim;  it  is  from  the  pen  of  Robert  P. 
Nevin. 

"Thirty-six  years  ago  a  young  man,  about  twenty-five  years  of  age,  of  a 
commancHng  height — six  feet  full,  the  heels  of  his  boots  not  included  in  the 
reckoning — and  dressed  in  scrupulous  keeping  with  the  fashion  of  the  time, 
might  have  been  seen  sauntering  idly  along  one  of  the  principal  streets  >of  Cin- 
cinnati. To  the  few  who  could  claim  acquaintance  with  him  he  was  known  as  an 
actor,  playing  at  the  time  referred  to  a  short  engagement  as  light  comedian  in  a 
theatre  of  that  city.  He  does  not  seem  to  have  attained  to  any  noticeable  degree 
of  eminence  in  his  profession,  but  he  had  established  for  himself  a  reputation 
among  jolly  fellows  in  a  social  way.  He  could  tell  a  story,  sing  a  song,  and 
dance  a  hornpipe,  after  a  style  which,  however,  unequal  to  complete  success  on 
the  stage,  proved,  in  private  performance  to  select  circles  rendered  appreciative 
by  accessory  refreshments,  famously  triumphant  always,  li  it  must  be  confessed 
that  he  was  deficient  in  the  more  profound  qualities,  it  is  not  to  be  inferred  that 
he  was  destitute  of  all  the  distinguishing,  though  shallower,  virtues  of  character. 
He  had  the  merit,  too,  of  a  proper  appreciation  of  his  own  capacity ;  and  his  aims 
never  rose  ab-ove  that  capacity.  As  a  superficial  man  he  dealt  with  superficial 
things,  and  his  dealings  were  marked  by  tact  and  shrewdness.  In  his  sphere  he 
was  proficient,  and  he  kept  his  wits  upon  the  alert  for  everything  that  might  be 
turned  to  professional  and  profitable  use.  Thus  it  was  that,  as  he  sauntered  along 
one  of  the  main  thoroughfares  of  Cincinnati,  as  has  been  written,  his  attention 
was  suddenly  arrested  by  a  voice  ringing  clear  and  full  above  the  noises  of  the 
street,  and  giving  utterance,  in  an  unmistakable  dialect,  to  the  refrain  "of  a  song 
to  this  effect : 

"Turn  about  an'  wheel  about  an"  do  jis  so, 
An'  ebery  time  I  turn  about  1  jump  Jim  Crow." 

Struck  by  the  peculiarities  of  the  performance,  so  unique  in  style,  matter, 
and  "character"  of  delivery,  the  player  listened  on.  Were  not  these  elements — was 
the  suggestion  of  the  instant — which  might  admit  of  higher  than  mere  street  or 
stable-yard  development?  As  a  national  x>t  "race"  illustration,  behind  the  foot- 
lights, might  not  "Jim  Crow"  and  a  black  face  tickle  the  fancy  of  pit  and  circle, 
as  well  as  the  "Sprig  of  Shillalah"  and  a  red  nose?  Out  of  the  suggestion  leaped 
the  determination ;  and  so  it  chanced  that  the  casual  hearing  of  a  song  trolled  by 
a  negro  stage-driver,  lolling  lazily  on  the  box  of  his  vehicle,  gave  origin  to  a 
school  of  music  destined  to  excel  in  popularity  all  others,  and  to  make  the  name 
of  the  obscure  actor,  T.  D.  Rice,  famous. 

As  his  engagement  at  Cincinnati  had  nearly  expired,  Rice  deemed  it  expe- 
dient to  postpone  a  public  venture  in  the  newly  projected  line  until  the  opening 
of  a  fresh  engagement  should  assure  him  opportunity  to  share  fairly  the  benefit 
expected  to  grow  out  of  the  experiment.  This  engagement  had  already  been 
entered  into;  and  accordingly,  shortly  after,  in  the  Autumn  of  1830,  he  left  Cin- 
cinnati for  Pittsburg. 

The  old  theatre  of  Pittsburg  occupied  the  site  -of  the  present  one,  on  Fifth 


8  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Street.  It  was  an  unpretending  structure,  rudely  built  of  boards,  and  of  mod- 
erate proportions,  but  sufficient,  nevertheless,  to  satisfy  the  taste  and  secure  the 
comfort  of  the  few  who  dared  to  face  consequences  and  lend  patronage  to  an 
establishment  under  the  ban  ^of  the  Scotch-Irish  Calvinists.  Entering  upon  duty 
at  the  "Old  Drury"  of  the  "Birmingham  of  America,"'  Rice  prepared  to  take  ad- 
vantage of  his  opportunity.  There  was  a  negro  in  attendance  at  Griffith's  Hotel, 
on  Wood  Street,  named  Cuff — an  exquisite  specimen  of  his  sort — who  won  a 
precarious  subsistence  by  letting  his  open  mouth  as  a  mark  for  boys  txi  pitch  pen- 
nies into,  at  three  paces,  and  by  carrying  the  trunks  of  passengers  from  the  steam- 
boats to  the  hotels.  Cuff  was  precisely  the  subject  for  Rice's  purpose.  Slight 
persuasion  induced  him  to  accompany  the  actor  to  the  theatre,  where  he  was  led 
through  the  private  entrance,  and  quietly  ensconced  behind  the  scenes.  After  the 
play.  Rice,  having  shaded  his  >Dwn  countenance  to  the  "contraband"  hue,  ordered 
Cuff  to  disrobe,  and  proceeded  to  invest  himself  in  the  cast-off  apparel.  When 
the  arrangements  were  complete,  the  bell  rang,  and  Rice,  habited  in  an  old  coat 
forlornly  dilapidated,  with  a  pair  of  shoes  composed  equally  of  patches  and  places 
for  patches  on  his  feet,  and  wearing  a  coarse  straw  hat  in  a  melancholy  condition 
of  rent  and  collapse  over  a  dense  black  wig  of  matted  moss,  waddled  into  view. 
The  extraordinary  apparition  produced  an  instant  effect.  The  crash  of  peanuts 
ceased  in  the  pit,  and  through  the  circles  passed  a  murmur  and  a  bustle  of  liveliest 
expectation.  The  orchestra  opened  with  a  short  prelude,  and  to  its  accompani- 
ment Rice  began  to  sing,  delivering  the  first  line  by  way  of  introductory  recitative: 

"O,  Jim  Crow's  come  to  town,  as  you  all  must  know. 
An'  he  wheel  about,  he  turn  about,  he  do  jis  so. 
An'  ebery  time  he  wheel  about  he  jump  Jim  Crow." 

The  effect  was  electric.  Such  a  thunder  of  applause  as  followed  was  never 
heard  before  within  the  shell  of  that  old  theatre.  With  each  succeeding  couplet 
and  refrain  the  uproar  was  renewed,  until  presently,  when  the  performer,  gath- 
ering courage  from  the  favorable  temper  of  his  audience,  ventured  to  improvise 
matter  for  his  distiches  from  familiarly  known  local  incidents,  the  demonstra- 
tions were  deafening. 

Now  it  happened  that  Cuff,  who  meanwhile  was  crouching  in  dishabille  under 
concealment  of  a  projecting  flat  behind  the  performer,  by  some  means  received 
intelligence,  at  this  point,  of  the  near  approach  of  a  steamer  to  the  Monongahela 
Wharf.  Between  himself  and  others  of  his  color  in  the  same  line  of  business,  and 
especially  as  regarded  a  certain  formidable  competitor  called  Ginger,  there  ex- 
isted an  active  rivalry  in  the  baggage-carrying  business.  For  Cuff  to  allow  Gin- 
ger the  advantage  of  an  undisputed  descent  upon  the  luggage  of  the  approaching 
vessel  would  be  not  only  to  forfeit  all  "considerations"  from  the  passengers,  but, 
by  proving  him  a  laggard  in  his  calling,  to  cast  a  damaging  blemish  upon  his 
reputation.  Liberally  as  he  might  lend  himself  to  a  friend,  it  could  not  be  done 
at  that  sacrifice.  After  a  minute  or  two  of  fidgety  waiting  for  the  song  to  end, 
Cuff's  patience  could  endure  no  longer,  and,  cautiously  hazarding  a  glimpse  of  his 
profile  beyond  the  edge  of  the  flat,  he  called  in  a  hurried  whisper:  "Massa  Rice, 
Massa  Rice,  must  have  my  clo'se  !    Massa  Griffif  wants  me — steamboat  's  comin' !" 

The  appeal  was  fruitless.  Massa  Rice  did  not  hear  it,  for  a  happy  hit  at  an 
unpopular  city  functionary  had  set  the  audience  in  a  roar  in  which  all  other 
sounds  were  lost.    Waiting  some  moments  longer,  the  restless  Cuff,  thrusting  his 


"DADDY"   RICE 


NED    HARPER 


JOE.   SWEENEY  DICK.  SWEENEY 

BLACK-FACE  PERFORMERS  WHO  ANTEDATED  MINSTRELSY 

PROPER. 


lo  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

visage  from  under  cover  into  full  three-quarter  view  this  time,  again  charged  upon 
the  singer  in  the  same  words,  but  with  more  emphatic  voice :  "Massa  Rice,  Massa 
Rice,  must  have  my  clo'se!     Mapsa  Griffif  wants  me — steamboat's  coinin' !" 

A  still  more  successful  couplet  brought  a  still  more  tempestuous  response,  and 
the  invocation  of  the  baggage-carrier  was  unheard  and  unheeded.  Driven  tj 
desperation,  and  forgetful  in  the  emergency  of  every  sense  of  propriety,  Cuff,  in 
ludicrous  undress  as  he  was,  started  from  his  place,  rushed  upon  the  stage,  and 
laying  his  hand  upon  the  performer':  shoulder,  called  out  excitedly :  "Massa  Rice, 
Massa  Rice,  gi'  me  nigga's  hat — nigga's  coat — nigga's  shoes — gi'  me  nigga's 
t'ings!    Massa  Griffif  wants  'im — steamboat  's  comin'!!" 

The  incident  was  the  touch,  in  the  mirthful  experience  of  that  night,  that 
passed  endurance.  Pit  and  circles  were  one  scene  of  such  convulsive  merri- 
ment that  it  was  impossible  to  proceed  in  the  performance ;  and  the  extinguish- 
ment of  the  footlights,  the  fall  of  the  curtain,  and  the  throwing  wide  of  the  doors 
for  exit,  indicated  that  the  entertainment  was  ended. 

Such  were  the  circumstances — authentic  in  every  particular — under  which 
the  first  work  of  the  distinct  art  of  Negro  Minstrelsy  was  presented. 

Next  day  found  the  song  of  Jim  Crow,  in  one  style  of  delivery  or  another, 
on  everybody's  tongue.  Clerks  hummed  it  serving  customers  at  shop  counters, 
artisans-  thundered  it  at  their  toils  to  the  time-beat  of  sledge  and  of  tilt-hammer, 
boys  whistled  it  on  the  streets,  ladies  warbled  it  in  parlors,  and  house-maids  re- 
peated it  to  the  clink  of  crockery  in  kitchens.  Rice  made  up  his  mind  to  profit 
further  by  its  popularity:  he  determined  to  publish  it.  Mr.  W.  C.  Peters,  after- 
wards of  Cincinnati,  and  well  known  as  a  composer  and  publisher,  was  at  that 
time  a  music  dealer  on  Market  Street  in  Pittsburg.  Rice,  ignorant  himself  of  the 
simplest  elements  of  musical  science,  waited  upon  Mr.  Peters,  and  solicited  his 
co-operation  in  the  preparation  of  his  song  for  the  press.  Some  difficulty  was 
experienced  before  Rice  could  be  induced  to  consent  to  the  correction  of  certain 
trifling  informalities,  rhythmical  mainly,  in  his  melody;  but,  yielding  finally,  the 
air  as  it  now  stands,  with  a  pianoforte  accompaniment  by  Mr.  Peters,  was  put 
upon  paper.  The  manuscript  was  put  into  the  hands  of  Mr.  John  Newton,  who 
reproduced  it  on  stone  with  an  elaborately  embellished  title-page,  including  a 
portrait  of  the  subject  of  the  song,  precisely  as  it  has  been  copied  through  succeed- 
ing editions  to  the  present  time.  It  was  the  first  specimen  of  lithography  ever 
executed  in  Pittsburg. 

Jim  Crow  was  repeated  nightly  throughout  the  season  at  the  theatre ;  and 
when  that  was  ended,  Beale's  Long  Room,  at  the  corner  of  Third  and  Market 
Streets,  was  engaged  for  rehearsals  exclusively  in  the  Ethiopian  line.  "Clar  de 
Kitchen"  soon  appeared  as  a  companion  piece,  followed  speedily  by  "Lucy  Long," 
"Sich  a  Gittin'  up  Stairs,"  "Long-Tail  Blue,"  and  so  on,  until  quite  a  repertoire 
was  at  command  from  which  to  select  for  an  evening's  entertainment. 

Rice  remained  in  Pittsburg  some  two  years.  He  then  visited  Philadelphia, 
Boston,  and  New  York,  whence  he  sailed  for  England,  where  he  met  with  high 
favor  in  his  novel  character." 

Before  he  sang  "Jim  Crow,"  Rice  was  considered  only  a  mediocre  performer. 
Jos.  N.  Ireland,  in  his  "Records  of  the  New  York  Stage,"  says  that  he  drew 
more  money  to  the  Bowery  Theatre  than  any  other  performer  in  the  same  period 
of  time.  His  appearances  were  generally  with  dramatic  organizations,  where  he 
usually  performed  between  the  acts.  Flis  minstrel  performances  were  compara- 
tively few,  and  mostly  confined  to  Charley  White's  Serenaders ;  though  he  played 


FROM  -DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  ii 

a  star  engagement  at  Wood's  Minstrels  in  August,  1858,  also  in  New  York.  At 
'the  Bowery  Theatre  in  the  Metropolis,  he  appeared  with  much  success  for 
several  weeks  as  Uncle  Tom,  commencing  January  16,  1854.  He  was  the  author 
of  several  early  negro  farces,  the  -most  popular  being,  "Oh,  Hush!"  "The 
Mummy"  and  "Bone  Squash."  The  first  New  York  performance  of  "O,  Hush" 
was  given  August  15,  1832.  He  was  noted  for  his  eccentricity  of  dress;  the  but- 
tons on  his  coat  and  vest  were  five  and  ten  dollar  gold  pieces,  which  he  would 
give  away  indiscriminately  as  souvenirs.  He  married  a  Miss  Gladstone  in  Eng- 
land, June  18.  1837.  "Daddy  Rice  was  born  in  New  York  City,  May  20,  1808.  He 
died  there  September  19,  i860. 

THE  FIRST  MINSTREL  PERFORMANCE. 

There  has  always  been  considerable  discussion  as  to  the  exact  date  when  this 
interesting  event  took  place ;  two  things  are  certain,  and  have  never  been  dis- 
puted, viz. :  that  it  actually  did  occur,  and  that  the  initial  presentation  was  in  New 
York  City,  between  January  31  and  February  17,  1843. 

That  the  idea  of  amalgamating  the  respective  talents  of  the  original  four, 
Emmett,  Brower  .Pelham  and  Whitlock,  was  conceived  by  the  latter,  there  is  no 
doubt ;  the  following  was  furnished  by  him  many  years  before  his  death. 

"The  organization  of  the  minstrels  I  claim  to  be  my  own  idea,  and  it  can- 
not be  blotted  out.  One  day  I  asked  Dan  Emmett,  who  was  in  New  York  at  the 
time,  to  practice  the  fiddle  and  the  banjo  with  me  at  his  boarding-house  in 
Catherine  Street.  We  went  down  there,  and  when  we  had  practiced,  Frank 
Brower  called  in  by  accident.  He  listened  to  our  music,  charmed  to  his  soul! 
I  told  him  to  join  with  the  bones,  which  he  did.  Presently  Dick  Pelham  came  in, 
also  by  accident,  and  looked  amazed.  I  asked  him  to  procure  a  tambourine  and 
make  one  of  the  party,  and  he  went  out  and  got  one.  After  practicing  for  a 
while  we  went  to  the  old  resort  of  the  circus  crowd — the  'Branch,'  in  the  Bowery 
— with  our  instruments,  and  in  Bartlett's  billiard-room  performed  for  the  first 
time  as  the  Virginia  Minstrels.  A  program  was  made  out,  and  the  first  time  we 
appeared  upon  the  stage  before  an  audience  was  for  the  benefit  of  Pelham  at  the 
Chatham  Theatre.  The  house  was  crammed — jammed  with  out  friends ;  and 
Dick,  of  course,  put  ducats  in  his  purse." 

The  house  on  Catherine  Street  was  No.  37,  and  was  kept  by  a  Mrs.  Brooks. 
The  "Branch"  was  a  hotel  opposite  the  Bowery  Amphitheatre. 

On  January  31,  1843,  Dick  Pelham  did  have  a  benefit,  but  the  performance 
was  of  the  ordinary  nature:  nothing  unusual,  such  as  a  quartet  of  black-face  per- 
formers appearing  at  one  time,  which  would  have  caused  considerable  stir ;  thus 
may  we  eliminate  January  31,  1843,  as  the  date  of  the  first  performance  in  public. 
The  following  announcement  appeared  on  February  6 : 

BOWERY   AMPHITHEATRE, 

Monday  evening,  Feb.  6.  1843,  ^''^t  night  of  the  novel,  grotesque,  original  and 

surpassingly  melodious  Ethiopian  Band  entitled 

THE  VIRGINIA  MINSTRELS 

Being  an  exclusively  minstrel  entertainment  combining  the  banjo,  violin,  bone 
castanets  and  the  tambourine,  and  entirely  exempt  from  the  vulgarities  and  other 
objectionable  features  which  have  hitherto  characterized  negro  extravaganzas. 


12  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

The  New  York  Herald  commented  on  the  performance  for  the  first  time  on 
February  9 , 

The  quartet  remained  at  the  Bowery  Amphitheatre  until 
February  1 1  ;  five  days  later  they  were  over  Cornucopia  Hall, 
at  No.  28  Park  Row ;  February  22,  they  began  an  engagement 
at  the  Park  Theatre,  and  shortly  afterwards  went  to  Boston, 
where  they  played  at  Melodeon  Hall  for  a  few  weeks,  and 
sailed  from  New  York,  April  21,  1843.  May  21,  they  gave 
their  first  performance  at  Liverpool,  England,  at  the  Concert 
Rooms  on  Concert  Street ;  subsequently  playing  a  week  in 
1 1  45  Manchester,  and  thence  to  the  Adelphi  in  London,  where  they 

FROM  THE  Hotel    remained  one  month  ;  the  original  four  disbanded  then. 

BILLY  WHITLOCK 

was  a  typesetter  on  the  New  York  Herald,  and  appeared  at  various  theatres  in 
the  evening,  while  retaining  his  position  during  the  day. 

He  made  his  first  appearance  in  New  York  City  in  1835,  as  Cufif  in  "O, 
Hush."  He  resigned  from  the  Herald  in  1837,  and  went  with  a  circus :  he  re- 
turned to  New  York,  and  in  the  Winter  of  1839  was  engaged  by  P.  T.  Barnum 
to  play  the  banjo  for  John  Diamond,  the  great  dancer. 

Mr.  Whitlock  was  the  first  to  return  to  the  United  States  after  the  dissolu- 
tion of  the  original  company;  he  arrived  about  August,  1844;  subsequently  ap- 
pearing with  various  small  organizations  and  circuses. 

For  many  years  he  traveled  as  a  Yankee  comedian,  and  was  also  an  actor 
at  the  Bowery  Theatre  about  1853;  he  was  the  composer  of  "Lucy  Long,"  one 
of  the  great  songs  of  early  minstrelsy.  His  last  appearance  was  with  Dan  Rice's 
Circus  in  1855. 

His  daughter  married  Edwin  Adams,  the  great  actor. 

It  is  a  -strange  thing  that  no  one  seems  to  know  where  Mr.  Whitlock  is 
buried.  Billy  Whitlock  was  born  in  New  York  City,  1813;  he  died  at  Long 
Branch,  N.  J.,  March  29,  1878. 

DICK  PELHAM  (Richard  Ward  Pell), 

like  Billy  Whitlock,  made  his  first  appearance  in  his  native  city  in  "O,  Hush," 
in  1835.    February  13,  1840,  he  danced  against  John  Diamond  in  New  York  City. 

November  14,  1842.  he  appeared  at  the  Franklin  Theatre  in  New  York,  and 
on  January  16,  1843,  he  had  a  benefit  at  the  Amphitheatre,  on  which  occasion  he 
appeared  in  sixteen  songs  and  dances,  and  played  in  the  farce  "Negro  Assurance;" 
yet  we  think  continuous  performances  are  of  recent  origin.  After  the  disso- 
lution of  the  original  four  in  England.  Mr.  Pelham  played  an  extended  engage- 
ment at  Sadler's  Wells  Theatre  in  London.  April  22,  1844,  in  conjunction  with 
Dan.  Emmett,  Frank  Brower  and  Joe  Sweeney,  they  reorganized  their  little 
band  and  opened  in  Dublin,  Ireland ;  at  the  Theatre  Royal,  afterwards,  appearing 
in  Cork,  Belfast,  Glasgow  and  Edinburgh,  after  which  they  disbanded. 

Mr.  Pell  subsequently  organized  Pell's  Serenaders,  and  played  all  the  large 
cities  in  England,  Ireland,  Scotland  and  Wales.  His  last  appearance  was  at 
Birmingham,  England,  August  19,  1856. 


DAN.    EILMETT  FRANK   BROWER 

The  above  four  performers  gave  in  New  York  City,  February  6,  1843,  the 
first  minstrel  performance  ever  given ;  they  were  knovi'n  as  the  Virginia  Minstrels. 


R.     lilbllUF     BLCKLEV 


IAS.    nUCKLEV 
FRED.    BUCKLEY 

THE  ORIGINAL  BUCKLEY  SERENADERS. 


SVVAINE    BUCKLEY 


14 


MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 


Dick  Pelham  was  born  in  New  York  City,  February   13,   1815;  he  died  in 
Liverpool,  England,  October  8,  1876. 

DAN.  EMMETT  (Daniel  Decatur  Emmett) 

was  better  known  to  the  general  public  than  any  of  his  associates,  from  the  fact 
that  he  outlived  nearly  all  his  contemporaries,  and  the  more  important  one  that 
he  was  the  author  of  "Dixie,"  which  will  live  forever. 

Mr.  Emmett  first  blacked  up  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  and  two  years  later 


Town   Hall   Tg-Night— Minstrels. 

joined  Sani.  Stickney's  Circus.  At  the  age  of  twenty-five,  he  learned  to  play  the 
banjo,  and  traveled  with  Angevine's  Circus  until  he  reached  New  York,  in  1842. 

In  1843,  after  leaving  his  three  associates  in  England,  he  performed  at 
Bolton,  Lancashire;  he  rejoined  Pelham  and  Brower  in  Dublin,  Ireland,  April  22, 
1844,  and  played  with  them  and  Joe  Sweeney  for  several  weeks. 

Returning  to  the  United  States,  he  appeared  with  various  circus  and  minstrel 
companies. 

In  1853-54  he  was  part  proprietor  of  White's  Minstrels  in  New  York;  in 
1855  he  opened  the  first  minstrel  hall  in  Chicago,  at  104  Randolph  Street. 


FROM  "DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  15 

Emmett's  Minstrels  opened  at  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  April  26,  1858;  he  was  also 
associated  with  Frank  Brower  in  a  minstrel  company  in  the  5o's. 

Mr.  Emmett  joined  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York  City  in  1858,  and  re- 
mained several  years;  after  Dan  Bryant's  death  in  1875.  he  accepted  a  position 
as  leader  in  the  Star  \'arieties,  Chicago.  In  the  Fall  of  1881  he  went  out  with 
Leavitt's  Minstrels,  where  in  conjunction  with  several  old  timers,  they  gave  a 
reproduction  of  the  original  \'irginia  Minstrels  of  1843. 

His  last  engagement  was  a  tour  of  the  country  with  Al.  G.  Field's  Minstrels 
about  ten  years  ago. 

An  account  of  the  famous  song  of  "I  Wish  I  Was  in  Dixie,"  will  be  found 
elsewhere. 

Dan  Emmett  was  born  in  Mt.  \'ernon,  Ohio,  October  29,  181 5,  where  he 
died,  June  28,  1904. 

FRANK  BROWER, 

the  junior  member  of  the  first  minstrel  company,  made  his  first  appearance  at 
Dick  Myers'  Museum  in  Philadelphia,  doing  a  song  and  dance,  about  1838; 
subsequently  he  joined  John  Robinson's  Circus,  and  later  Raymond  &  Waring's 
Circus. 

After  the  separation  of  the  original  minstrel  company  in  London  in  1844, 
Mr.  Brower  traveled  with  Cook's  Circus  in  England;  and  in  the  Spring  of  1844, 
with  Pelham,  Sweeney  and  Emmett,  they  gave  their  old  performance,  opening 
in  Dublin,  Ireland,  April  22,  1844,  and  playing  engagements  in  Cork,  Belfast, 
Glasgow  and  Edinburgh,  after  which  he  returned  to  America  and  played  with 
some  of  the  principal  minstrel  and  circus  organizations,  • 

In  1851  he  revisited  England,  appearing  as  clown  with  Welch's  Circus. 
February  28,  1856,  he  opened  at  Sanford's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia. 

His  last  engagement  in  minstrelsy  was  with  Tunnison's  Minstrels  in  Phila- 
delphia, November  2,  1867;  ^n^l  his  last  appearance  on  the  stage  was  in  the  same 
city,  November  22,  1867,  at  the  Walnut  Street  Theatre,  in  "The  Lottery  of  Love." 

Mr.  Brower's  "Happy  Uncle  Tom"  was  as  perfect  a  piece  of  acting,  it  has 
been  said,  that  has  ever  been  seen  on  any  stage.  He  was  original  to  a  degree,  and 
never  stooped  to  vulgarity  in  any  form. 

Frank  Brower  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  No.vember  20,  1823;  he  died  in 
Philadelphia,  June  4,  1874. 

THE  BUCKLEY  SERENADERS. 

James  Buckley,  the  father  of  R.  Bishop,  G.  Swayne  and  Fred  Buckley  was 
the  organizer  of  the  justly  famous  Buckley  Serenaders ;  they  were  originally 
known  as  the  Congo  Melodists ;  subsequently  upon  playing  an  extended  engage- 
ment in  New  Orleans,  they  adopted  the  title  of  "New  Orleans  Serenaders"; 
later  using  the  name  they  were  ever  after  known  by. 

Mr.  Buckley  was  leader  at  Harrington's  Museum  in  Boston  in  1840. 

In  1843  he  organized  the  Congo  Melodists  in  Boston,  and  gave  their  first 
performance  at  the  Tremont  Theatre;  in  October  they  were  playing  the  Taber- 
nacle, the  present  site  of  the  Howard  Athenaeum.  Their  first  New  York  appear- 
ance was  in  1845 ;  the  following  year  they  went  to  England,  where  they  re- 
mained about  two  years.     For  family  reasons  each  of  the  four  Buckleys  adopted 


i6  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

different  names  on  this  trip,  and  retained  them  for  a  time  after  their  return  to  the 
United  States  in  1848;  James  Buckley  was  known  as  James  Burke. 

Their  metropolitan  reappearance  was  made  at  the  Society  Library  Rooms, 
corner  Broadway  and  Leonard  Street ;  they  played  here  as  early  as  January  3, 
1849. 

The  Buckleys  were  the  first  recognized  company  from  the  East .  to  visit 
California,  which  they  did  in  1852 ;  they  played  in  tents  at  $3  per  ticket.  In  June, 
1853,  they  made  their  third  New  York  appearance  at  the  Chinese  Assembly  Room, 
539  Broadway,  which  they  leased  and  made  into  a  minstrel  hall ;  they  remained 
three  years.  August  25,  1856,  they  opened  at  585  Broadway;  their  last  perform- 
ance there  was  January  9,  1858;  subsequently  they  played  a  brief  engagement 
at  444  Broadway,  commencing  two  days  later. 

In  May,  1858,  they  began  a  brief  engagement  at  the  Ordway  Hall  in  Boston, 
and  in  November,  same  year,  they  began  a  short  season  at  Allston  Hall  on  Tre- 
mont  Street ;  subsequently  returning  to  New  York  at  585  Broadway,  opening 
July  II,  1859. 

On  March  21,  i860,  they  sailed  again  for  England,  where  they  met  with 
pronounced  success;  in  this  engagement  they  played  under  their  own  names. 

As  a  matter  of  actual  fact,  their  success  was  so  great,  that  rival  managers 
became  jealous,  and  succeeded  in  digging  up  an  old  law  which  prevented  an 
opera  other  than  the  Royal  Opera  from  being  given ;  as  the  Buckley's  success 
depended  on  the  production  of  these  operas,  which  they  produced  on  a  lavish 
scale,  they  were  compelled  to  return  to  America,  which  they  did  in  1861.  After 
playing  several  engagements,  they  returned  to  Boston  and  opened  at  Allston  Hall, 
October  13,  1862.  December  22,  same  year,  they  began  an  engagement  at  the 
Palace  of  Music,  New  York  (the  present  site  of  the  Fourteenth  Street  Theatre), 
and  June  15,  1863,  they  again  visited  Boston,  appearing  at  the  new  hall,  corner 
Chauncey  and  Summer  Streets,  remaining  until  April  9,  1866. 

The  retirement  of  James  Buckley  and  the  deaths  of  R.  Bishop  and  Fred 
Buckley,  left  only  G.  Swayne  Buckley,  who  reorganized  the  company  and  toured 
with  intermittent  success  and  failure  until  about  1876,  when  the  Buckley's  Sere- 
naders  passed  into  oblivion. 

Such  is  the  history  of  this  famous  family  whose  talents  and  versatility  are 
beyond  comprehension  to  the  present  generation. 

They  were  the  first  company  to  produce  burlesque  opera,  which  they  did  on 
a  scale  of  magnificence  never  since  duplicated. 

The  company  originally  consisted  of  the  four  members  of  the  family;  later 
they  were  augmented  by  Sam  Sanford  and  J.  C.  Collins;  this  was  about  1846;  in 
after  years  many  of  the  prominent  lights  of  the  minstrel  profession  appeared  on 
their  roster.  Mr.  Jas.  Buckley  was  the  only  member  of  the  organization  who  was 
not  active  up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

James  Buckley  was  born  in  Manchester,  England,  1803 ;  he  died  in  Quincy, 
Mass.,  April  27,  1872. 

R.  Bishop  Buckley,  began  his  career  in  1843  ^^  Boston  as  member  of  the 
original  Buckley  Serenaders. 

He  was  an  excellent  mimic,  accomplished  musician  and  good  actor. 

He  was  best  known  for  his  performance  on  the  Chinese  fiddle,  which  was 
never  equaled  except  by  a  native  Chinaman.  He  was  the  possessor  of  a  good 
tenor  voice,  which  he  used  easily  and  gracefully. 


mM  MSTrMi 

'at  mechanics   hall,    472    BROADWAY  N.Y  in  1847 


mropmAL  cmsTrMiNsfm^ 


i8  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Mr.  Buckley  was  known  as  J.  C.  Rainer  in  the  late  40's,  while  in  Europe  and 
shortly  after  their  return. 

R.  Bishop  Buckley  was  born  in  England,  1826;  he  died  in  Quincy,  Mass., 
June  6,  1867. 

George  Swayne  Buckley,  the  most  versatile  of  the  famous  Buckley  family, 
made  his  first  appearance  as  a  prodigy  at  Harrington's  Museum  in  Boston,  in 
1840. 

Later,  while  learning  to  play  the  banjo,  the  famous  Joe.  Sweeney  took  an 
interest  in  him,  and  "starred"  him  for  a  lengthy  period  through  the  country  as 
"Young  Sweeney,"  which  title  he  used  as  late  as  May  15,  1845. 

Some  idea  of  Mr.  Buckley's  versatility  may  be  gleaned  from  the  fact  that 
in  one  performance  he  sang  a  song  and  done  a  banjo  solo  in  the  first  part,  played 
a  solo  on  the  kitchen  bellows  in  a  burlesque  on  the  Julien  Concerts ;  gave  Locust 
Hum  in  the  third  part :  played  a  part  in  the  burlesque  opera ;  danced  with  two 
others  in  the  finale,  and  gave  his  bone  solo,  which  was  a  wonderful  performance ; 
with  them  he  gave  imitations  of  the  drums,  the  march,  the  reveille,  etc.,  conclud- 
ing with  imitations  of  two  horses  running  a  race.  It  must  be  understood  that  all 
these  performances  were  given  in  an  artistic  manner ;  and  this  was  about  sixty- 
five  3'ears  ago. 

Probably  Swayne  Buckley's  chief  fame  rests  on  the  act  he  did  in  later  years; 
it  was  called  "Musical  Moments ;"  in  it  he  performed  on  twelve  different  instru- 
ments, playing  several  at  one  time. 

July  8,  1867,  he  reorganized  in  Boston  the  Buckley  Serenaders  with  himself 
as  the  one  remaining  member  of  the  famous  family  in  its  company. 

In  1870  Mr.  Buckley  played  an  engagement  with  the  San  Francisco  Min- 
strels in  New  York  City;  and  on  September  3,  1872,  with  Sam  Sharpley  he  or- 
ganized a  company  and  gave  minstrelsy  on  new  lines,  eliminating  the  time-hon- 
ored first  part. 

The  two  following  seasons  saw  Buckley's  Serenaders  on  the  road,  and  on 
September  13,  1875,  he  opened  with  the  minstrels  at  Beethoven  Hall,  Boston; 
their  stay  was  brief ;  a  road  tour  was  even  less  successful. 

In  1871  he  played  in  a  sensational  melodrama  called  "On  the  Track;"  in 
this  he  portrayed  seven  characters.  Mr.  Buckley's  last  appearance  was  at  the 
Walnut  Street  Theatre,  Philadelphia,  playing  Zip,  a  negro,  in  "Devotion." 

George  Swayne  Buckley  was  born  in  Bolton,  England,  August-,  1829;  he 
died  in  Quincy,  Mass.,  June  25,  1879. 

Fred  Buckley  came  to  America  with  his  father  and  brothers  in  1839 ;  when, 
as  previously  stated,  the  family  changed  their  names,  Mr.  Buckley  was  known  as 
Master  Ole  Bull. 

He  was  leader  of  the  orchestra  in  their  organization  for  many  years. 

Some  of  the  famous  ballads  of  early  minstrelsy  were  composed  by  him,  such 
as  "We  Are  Growing  Old  Together,"  "I'd  Choose  to  Be  a  Daisy,"  "Laughing 
Jennie,"  "I  See  Her  Still  in  My  Dreams,"  "I'm  Turning  Gray,  Dear  Kate,"  and 
numerous  others.  ^ 

Mr.  Buckley  married  Fanny  Brown,  the  actress,  January  29,  1857. 

Fred  Buckley  was  born  in  Bolton,  England,  October  12,  1833 ;  he  died  in 
Boston,  Mass.,  September  12,  1864. 


PROM  -DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  19 

CHRISTY'S  MINSTRELS 

were  originated  and  first  organized  by  Edwin  P.  Christy,  and  after  tliat  gentle- 
man retired  from  the  profession,  a  few  years  later,  part  of  his  old  company  or- 
ganized and  went  to  Europe,  giving  their  first  performance  there  August  3, 
1857 :  they  were  called  the  "Christy"  Minstrels.  From  this  company  several 
others  sprung,  and  for  a  great  many  years  all  minstrel  organizations  in  England 
were  called  "Christy's." 

E.  P.  Christy  had  a  "card"  on  his  program  for  many  years,  stating  that  his 
was  the  first  minstrel  company  organized,  the  date  given  as  1842.  In  support  of 
this  at  one  time  gave  a  statement  of  receipts  covering  a  period  of  six  months  in 
1842,  and  up  to  January  i,  1848. 

It  is  a  noteworthy  fact  that  Mr.  Christy's  "card"  did  not  appear  until  after 
Wood's,  likewise  Campbell's — two  permanent  minstrel  organizations  like  his  own 
in  New  York  City,  had  prospered  and  made  their  presence  felt. 

As  has  been  stated  elsewhere,  black-face  performers  there  were  a-plenty  long 
before  the  original  fmir  gave  their  first  joint  performance;  they  played  chiefly 
in  circuses  and  dance  houses,  and  it  was  in  one  of  the  latter  that  Mrs.  Harring- 
ton, mother  of  George  Christy,  and  subsequent  wife  of  E.  P.  Christy,  kept,  where 
these  performances  were  given,  and  were  very  common  occurrences  at  that  time, 
and  this  was  the  only  basis  that  Mr.  Christy  had  of  ante-dating  the  original  com- 
pany. There  is  no  doubt  that  after  the  intelligence  reached  Buffalo  of  the  suc- 
cess of  Pelham,  Whitlock,  Emmett  and  Brow.er,  that  Mr.  Christy,  like  scores  of 
others,  formed  a  company  and  called  them  Christy's  Minstrels ;  the  date  of  this 
interesting  event  has  never  been  made  public,  if  indeed  it  was  ever  recorded.  The 
first  record  of  the  company  that  the  author  has  been  able  to  find  was  in  Albany, 
N.  Y.,  May,  1844.  On  Sunday,  August  17,  1845.  R.  M.  Hooley  is  said  to  have 
led  the  orchestra  for  them  at  the  Assembly  Room  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

Their  first  metropolitan  appearance  was  at  Palmo's  Opeca  House,  April  27, 
1846;  they  subsequently  played  at  the  Society  Library  Rooms  and  later  at  the 
Alhambra,  all  in  the  same  city. 

But  it  was  at  Mechanics  Hall.  472  Broadway,  New  York,  that  the  name  of 
Christy's  Minstrels  became  famous;  they  opened  there  on  February  15,  1847, 
and  remained  until  July  15,  1854.  On  September  20,  1854,  the  company  sailed 
for  California;  they  played  a  few  weeks  at  Pratt's  Hall  m  San  Francisco,  but  were 
not  overly  successful. 

Such  is  the  story  of  E.  P.  Christy's  Minstrels;  the  original  company  con- 
sisted of  E.  P.  Christy,  George  Christy,  Tom  Vaughn  and  Lansing  Durand ;  the 
careers  of  most  of  these  performers,  also  their  portraits,  will  be  found  elsewhere. 

It  was  the  withdrawal  of  George  Christy  from  E.  P.  Christy's  Company  that 
caused  their  dissolution. 

Edwin  P.  Christy  was  best  known  as  a  ballad  singer,  although  he  played 
the  banjo  acceptably  and  played  parts  in  his  entertainments ;  he  made  a  specialty 
of  singing  Stephen  C.  Foster's  songs. 

He  returned  from  California  early  in  1855,  and  never  appeared  again  pro- 
fessionally ;  nor  did  he  ever  play  in  England,  although  his  name  is  a  household 
word  there  yet  even  to  this  day. 

Edwin  P.  Christy  was  born  in  Philadelphia.  November  28,  1815;  he  died 
(suicide)  in  New  York  City,  May  21,  1862. 


20  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

George  N.  Christy  (Harrington),  is  conceded  to  have  been  one  of  the 
greatest  performers  that  ever  graced  the  minstrel  stage ;  he  was  versatile  by  all  the 
term  applies;  had  he  deemed  to  use  his  talents  otherwise,  his  name  might  have 
been  enrolled  as  one  of  America's  great  actors. 

His  career  began  at  Bufifalo,  N.  Y.,  in  1839;  although  he  had  not  yet  entered 
his  teens,  he  was  rated  a  fine  jig  dancer. 

He  was  associated  with  E.  P.  Christy  a  few  years  before  the  latter  organized 
his  minstrel  company. 

George  Christy  was  with  Christy's  Minstrels  in  New  York  from  February 
15.  1847,  until  October  29,  1853,  during  which  period  he  played  every  con- 
ceivable part ;  male  and  female  equally  well ;  he  was  a  great  endman  and  as  a 
bone  player  ranked  with  the  best. 

Owing  to  a  misunderstanding,  he  left  E.  P.  Christy  on  October  29,  1853, 
and  two  days  later  he  joined  forces  with  Henry  Wood  at  444  Broadway,  where 
as  Wood  and  Christy's  Minstrels  they  held  forth  many  years. 

During  the  50's  Wood  and  Christy  took  the  house  vacated  by  E.  P.  Christy, 
put  a  show  in  there  and  run  both  establishments  for  several  months ;  Billy  Birch 
and  Christy  played  on  the  ends  in  their  respective  houses,  after  which  each  would 
go  to  the  other  theatre  and  contribute  to  the  rest  of  the  entertainment. 

December  2,  1854,  "444"  was  destroyed  by  fire,  and  the  company  after  a 
brief  tour,  resumed  at  "472."     "444"  was  rebuilt  and  reopened  October  i,  1855. 

Subsequently  the  company  opened  at  Wood's  Marble  Palace,  561-563  Broad- 
way, which  was  especially  built  for  them,  October  31,  1857;  the  other  houses 
were  then  closed. 

Christy  withdrew  from  Wood  on  May  i,  1858,  and  went  to  California, 
opening  at  San  Francisco  under  the  management  of  Tom  Maguire,  June  7; 
the  company  was  known  as  Christy's  Minstrels;  they  remained  in  California 
several  months ;  subsequently  Christy  and  R.  M.  Hooley  formed  a  partnership 
and  returned  to  New  York,  opening  at  444  Broadway,  May  23,  1859.  Christy 
had  previously  signed  an  agreement  with  Henry  Wood  not  to  appear  within 
100  miles  of  New  York  for  a  period  of  eighteen  months,  commencing  May  i, 
1858. 

When  George  Christy  attempted  to  perform,  he  was  enjoined  from  doing 
so  by  Wood ;  Christy  then  took  the  road  until  the  time  limit  had  expired,  open- 
ing at  Niblo's  Saloon,  November  7,  1859;  he  played  here  about  one  year,  and 
subsequently  moved  opposite  to  585  Broadway. 

In  1864  he  was  with  J.  W.  Raynor's  Company;  and  on  September  4,  1865, 
he  began  an  engagement  with  Hooley  in  Brooklyn ;  a  year  later  he  opened  with 
Kelly  and  Leon's  Minstrels  at  720  Broadway;  this  was  the  initial  performance 
of  the  latter  company  in  the  metropolis. 

January  16,  1867,  with  G.  W.  H.  Griffin,  he  organized  Griffin  and  Christy's 
Minstrels,  opening  at  the  Fifth  Avenue  Theatre  (late  Madison  Square  The- 
atre) ;  they  closed  June  27,  went  on  tour  and  reappeared  in  New  York,  July  29, 
at  Union  Hall,  Fifth  Avenue  and  Twenty-third  Street;  they  closed  on  Septem- 
ber 23  and  went  traveling. 

His  last  appearance  was  with  Hooley's  Minstrels,  May  2,  1868,  in  Brook- 
lyn, N.  Y. 

George  Christy  was  born  in  Palmyra,  N.  Y.,  November  6,  1827;  he  died 
in  New  York  City,  May  12,  1868. 


THE  VIRGINIA  SERENADERS,  1843. 
Reading  from  left  to  riglit,  in  later  years  the  above  performers  were  fami- 
liarly known  as  Jim  Sanford,  "Ole  Bull"  ilvers.  Jim  Carter,  Bob  Edwards  and 
"Cool"  White. 

BILLY  LESTER  T All,    ALLEN 


LESTER  AND  ALLEN— Thev  came  later. 


22  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

William  A.  Christy,  the  younger  son  of  E.  P.  Christy,  was  a  comedian, 
and  a  fair  end  man. 

His  greatest  proficiency  was  in  the  delineation  of  the  female  character. 

Late  in  i860  "Christy's"  Minstrels,  under  his  management,  toured  for  a 
brief  season;  they  closed,  and  on  July  4,  1861,  they  reorganized  and  opened  at 
the  Athenaeum,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

William  A.  Christy  died  in  New  York  City,  December  8,  1862,  aged  22 
years. 

E.  Byron  Christy  was  a  son  of  E.  P.  Christy ;  he  was  a  comedian,  and 
best  known  for  his  stump  speeches.  He  played  with  Sanford's  Minstrels  in 
Philadelphia  in  1859,  and  with  George  Christy's  Minstrels  same  year,  after  the 
latter's  return  from  California.  In  1865  "Christy's"  Minstrels  made  a  tour 
under  his  management. 

He  died  in  New  York  City,  April  6,  1866,  aged  28  years. 

JOE  SWEENEY    (Joel   Walker   Sweeney) 

was  tlie  "father  of  the  banjo"  and  one  of  the  earliest  black-face  performers. 

Mr.  Sweeney  and  two  brothers  traveled  in  a  wagon  through  the  South  in 
the  early  3o"s,  and  certainly  as  early  as  1838  when  he  was  with  a  circus  that 
played  in  Lynchburg,  Va. 

Pie  played  many  subsequent  engagements  with  circuses,  notably  with  the 
John  Robinson  Show. 

About  1S43  h^  went  to  England,  where  he  traveled  with  Cook's  Circus. 

April  19,  1844,  with  Brower,  Pelham  and  Emmett,  he  formed  again  the 
Virginia  Minstrels ;  they  played  in  Dublin  two  weeks,  and  several  other  cities, 
after  which  the  quartette  broke  up ;  Pelham  and  Sweeney  then  performed  in  the 
principal  cities  of  the  United  Kingdom,  Sweeney  returning  to  the  United  States 
about  1845. 

He  subsequently  organized  Joe  Sweeney's  Opera  Troupe  and  traveled 
chiefly  through  the  South  at  intermittent  periods  up  to  within  about  a  year  or 
two  of  his  death. 

In  April,  1852.  he  played  an  engagement  with  Charley  White's  Minstrels 
in  New  York.  Up  to  the  time  of  Joe  Sweeney,  the  banjo,  so-called,  was  made 
trom  a  gourd  and  had  four  strings  only ;  he  took  an  old  cheese  box,  cut  it  in 
half,  covered  it  with  a  skin  and  added  another  string;  the  fine  instruments  we  see 
to-day  are  the  evolution  of  the  crude  affair  just  described ;  this  was  about  1830. 

Joe  Sweeney  was  born  at  Appomattox,  Va.,  1813;  where  he  died  October 
27,  i860. 

Geo.  Holland,  father  of  the  late  Geo.  Holland,  and  of  E.  M.  and  Jos.  Hol- 
land, and  who  was  known  as  one  of  the  great  comedians  of  the  old  stock 
days,  made  his  appearance  with  Wood  and  Christy's  Minstrels  in  New  York 
City,  December  21,  1857,  playing  female  parts  in  black-face,  and  remained 
with  the  company  six  months. 

The  famous  "little  church  around  the  corner"  gained  its  name  and  fame 
through  the  death  of  this  great  old  actor. 

George  Holland  was  born  near  London,  England,  December  6,  1871 ;  he 
died  in  New  York  City,  December  20,  1870. 


FROM  "DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  23 

Edwin  Forrest,  America's  first  great  actor,  at  the  Globe  Theatre,  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  July  17,  1823,  played  Cuff,  a  Kentucky  negro,  in  the  "Tailor  in  Dis- 
tress." 

In  this  play  Mr.  Forrest  imitated  the  black  man  in  dress,  accent,  gait, 
dialect  and  manner ;  and  was  said  to  be  the  first  actor  to  do  so. 

Edwin  Forrest  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  March  9,  1806;  he  died  there 
December  12,  1872. 

"Ole  Bull"  Myers  (J.  Richard  Myers)  was  one  of  the  earliest  and  best 
violinists  in  minstrelsy. 

He  entered  the  profession  in  1835,  and  was  with  numerous  black-face 
companies,  notably  the  Virginia  Serenaders  in  1843 ;  this  organization,  a 
photograph  of  which  will  be  found  elsewhere,  played  an  engagement  at  the 
Chatham  Theatre,  New  York,  January  24,  1844. 

"Ole  Bull"  Myers  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  May  9,  1909;  he  died  in 
Philadelphia,  September   10,   1874. 

P.  T.  Barnum,  the  great  circus  man,  in  the  fall  of  1836  while  traveling  with 
a  small  show  of  his  own,  had  the  misfortune  to  lose  the  services  of  Jim  Sand- 
ford,  one  of  his  principal  "cards,"  who  was  doing  "nigger"  business ;  but 
rather  than  disappoint  his  audience,  Barnum  "blacked  up"  and  sang  "Such 
a  Gittin  Up  Stairs,"  and  other  songs  that  were  popular  that  day. 

P.  T.  Barnum  was  born  in  Bethel,  Conn.,  July  5,  1810;  he  died  at  Bridge- 
port, Conn.,  April  7,   1891. 

Tom  Christl\n,  one  of  the  first,  also  one  of  the  best  to  do  Tyrolean  warbling 
in  minstrelsy,  joined  E.  P.  Christy's  Minstrels  in  New  York  in  1847,  ^"d 
continued  as  a  member  of  that  organization  until  it  disbanded  in  1854;  sub- 
sequently he  joined  Sanford's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  and  Raynor's 
"Christy"  which  toured  the  covmtry  until  they  sailed  for  England  in  June, 
1857,  when  Christian  went  with  them ;  he  remained  with  the  organization 
which  afterwards  was  known  as  Moore,  Crocker  and  Ritter's  Minstrels,  until 
his  death. 

Tom  Christian  died  in  London,  England,  January  29,  1867 ;  aged  59 
years. 

Dr.  G.  R.  Sp.\lding,  whose  "Floating  Palace"  and  steamers  "Banjo"  and 
"Gazelle"  and  "James  Raymond"  gave  minstrel  performances  on  the  rivers 
for  many  years,  commencing  about  1855,  was  a  native  of  Coeymans,  N.  Y. ; 
he  died  in  New  Orleans,  La.,  April  6,  1886,  aged  68  years. 

Sam  Johnson  (Isaac  Ray)  was  one  of  the  earliest  minstrel  performers;  as 
early  as  the  Summer  of  1844  he  appeared  in  Hoboken,  N.  J.,  at  Otto  Cot- 
tage as  one  of  the  Operatic  Brothers  and  Sisters. 

He  died  at  River  View,  Ky.,  about  November  i,  1876,  aged  62  years. 

Jim  Sandford  (Blandford)  was  one  of  the  earliest  jig  dancers  of  minstrelsy. 
He  appeared  with  small  companies  as  early  as  1843  !  ^"d  for  several  years 
traveled  with  the  great  John  Diamond.  He  was  noted  for  his  fastidiousness 
in  dress. 


24  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY', 

He  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Md. ;  he  died  in  Philadelphia,  September  2, 
1855  ;  aged  41  years. 

John  Washington  Smith  was  one  of  the  earliest  and  best  negro  delineators 
ante-dating  minstrelsy  proper,  although  he  was  later  associated  with  sev- 
eral prominent  organizations. 

His  earliest  recorded  appearance  was  with  the  Lion  Circus  in  Cincin- 
nati, December,  1838. 

The  following  year  he  played  in  New  York,  and  a  year  later  went  to 
Europe,  where  he  performed  with  "Pickaninny"  Coleman.  Returning  to 
America,  he  played  at  the  Bowery  Amphitheatre,  April  25,  1842. 

In    1849  hs  wrote  and   first  sung  the   song  that  was  afterwards  in  the  . 
repertoire  of   many  famous  minstrels — "Old   Bob   Ridley ;"  this  occurred   in 
New  Orleans,  La. 

In  the  Fall  of  1855  he  was  with  the  original  San  Francisco  Minstrels 
in  the  California  metropolis.  Fie  subsequently  went  to  Australia  and  other 
foreign  countries,  where  for  many  years  he  piloted  various  minstrel  organ- 
izations. 

John  Washington  Smith  was  born  in  the  United  States  about  1815 ; 
he  died  in  S.  Yarra,  Australia,  August  31,  1877. 

Francis  Germon  was  one  of  the  early  comedians  and  tambourinists  in 
minstrelsy. 

December  25,  1839,  at  Taunton,  Mass.,  in  a  concert  there  he  was  sing- 
ing the  old  song  of  "Sittin'  on  a  Rail." 

About  1844  he  joined  the  Ethiopian  Serenaders,  and  continued  as  a  mem- 
ber of  that  party  several  years. 

September  15,  1845,  Mr.  Germon  and  the  company,  as  shown  on  another 
page,  began  an  engagement  at  Palmo's  Opera  House,  New  York. 

Francis  Germon  died  in  Philadelphia,  it  is  said,  in  the  50's. 

Ned  Harper  was  one  of  the  early  black-face  performers  who  ante-dated 
minstrelsy  proper. 

He  was  the  author  of  "Jim  Along  Josey,"  and  the  first  to  sing  it  in  his 
drama,  the  "Free  Nigger  of  New  York,"  about  1838. 

February  22,  1837,  at  the  Lion  Theatre,  Boston,  he  played  Gumbo  Cufif 
in  "O'  Hush." 

He  died  in  England  about  fifty  years  ago. 

"Bill"  Ceda  (Wm.  Price),  up  to  the  time  of  his  death  was  the  oldest  living 
minstrel  in  England,  where  he  had  been  since  1848;  he  was  a  comedian  and 
general  performer,  and  made  his  first  appearance  at  the  Bowery  Theatre, 
New  York,  in  1840;  in  June,  1848,  he  was  with  the  Virginia  Harmonists. 

Bill  Ceda  was  born  in  the  United  States ;  he  died  in  Liverpool,  Eng- 
land, March  9,  1873. 

Dick  Sweeney,  a  brother  of  the  famous  Joe  Sweeney,  and  'who  traveled 
with  him  in  the  30's  and  40's,  giving  concerts  in  black-face,  died  in  Washing- 
ton, D.  C,  in  i860,  it  is  said.     He  was  born  in  Virginia  about  1815. 


FRANK  WARD 
(of  the   Original  Clipper   Quartette)                                                     ( 

HARRY   A.    ELLIS 
of   the    Original    "The    Quartette") 

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JOHNW    THOMPSON  FRANK   KERNS 

(Thompson  &  Kerns  were  the  original  double  song  and  dance  team;  1862.) 


CHARLEY  GARDNER 

(Original    "Hop   Light   Loo") 


FRANK    E.    McNISH 
(Original  "Silence  and  Fun") 


"SOME  ORIGINALS." 


26  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Nelson  Kneass'  fame  has  been  handed  down  to  posterity  for  his  association 
with  the  song  of  Ben  Bolt,  which  was  composed  by  Thomas  Dunn  English ; 
an  old  German  tune  was  supplied  by  Mr.  Kneass,  and  through  it  the  verses 
have  become  immortalized. 

Mr.  Kneass  followed  the  profession  of  negro  minstrelsy  for  many  years. 

February  i,  1841,  he  was  leader  of  the  "orchestra"  at  the  opening  of 
the  Museum,  Albany,  N.  Y.  In  1846  he  was  a  member  of  the  Sable  Har- 
monists ;  in  1853  with  Sanford's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  and  on  June  2, 
1854,  Mr.  Kneass  and  his  daughter,  Annie,  who  later  married  J.  N.  Rent- 
frow,  of  Rentfrow's  JolU'  Pathfinders,  were  with  Wood  and  Christy's  Min- 
strels in  New  York,  the  former  as  Aunt  Chloe,  and  the  latter  as  Eva  in  "Uncle 
Tom's  Cabin. 

In  1859  he  was  with  a  minstrel  company  in  Chicago,  and  late  that  same 
year  was  with  Dan  Scott's  Dramatic  Company. 

Nelson  Kneass  was  born  in  Philadelphia ;  he  died  in  Chillicothe,  Ohio, 
September  10,  1869. 

G.  Warren  White  was  a  famous  vocalist  in  the  early  days  of  minstrelsy. 
He  began  as  a  boy  singer,  and  later  was  with  Dumbleton's  Serenaders ;  also 
with  Ordway's  Aeolians  in  Boston. 

His  later  years  were  spent  with  the  Campbell-Castle  Opera  Company, 
and  the  Kellogg  Opera  Company. 

Mr.  White  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  in  1816;  he  died  in  Somerville, 
Mass.,  in  March,  1886. 

Dan  Gardner  was  equally  at  home  as  a  clown  in  a  circus,  or  as  a  minstrel. 

At  the  age  of  13,  on  the  13th  of  the  month,  he  ran  away  from  home,  and 
after  walking  thirteen  miles,  joined  a  canal  boat  show. 

He  soon  after  returned  to  his  heath,  and  subsequently  held  the  position 
of  assistant  property  man  at  Mt.  Pitt  Circus  in  New  York,  on  the  site  that 
is  now  occupied  by  the  Hoe  Printing  Press  Company.  Mr.  Gardner  began 
his  clown  business  there. 

As  early  as  1835  he  did  a  wench  character ;  it  is  considerably  more  than 
probable  that  he  was  the  first  performer  to  do  a  female  part  in  black-face. 
And  he  was  absolutely  the  first  to  do  Lucy  Long,  a  famous  characterization 
in  early  minstrelsy. 

In  every  decade  commencing  in  the  30's,  Mr.  Gardner  was  prominently 
identified  with  minstrelsy.  He  was  with  Sam  Sanford's  Minstrels  as  early 
as  1844,  and  when  the  latter  took  the  present  Eleventh  Street  Opera  House 
in  Philadelphia,  he  played  numerous  engagements  there  in  the  50's,  6o's 
and  70's. 

In  1845  he  was  one  of  the  famous  Operatic  Brothers  and  Sisters  in  New 
York  City. 

Mr.  Gardner  was  the  father  of  W.  H.  Gardner,  prominent  in  circus  busi- 
ness ;  also  Lida  Gardner,  who  was  the  original  Mabel  Santley  of  the  Rentz- 
Santley  Burlesquers. 

Dan  Gardner  was  born  in  New  York  City,  October  28,  1816 ;  he  died  in 
Atlantic  City,  N.  J.,  October  7,  1880. 

M.  C.  Campbell  (Cainan),  one  of  the  great  ballad  singers  in  the  early 
days  of  minstrelsy,  first  appeared  prominently  at  Wood's  Minstrels  in  New 


FROAI  "DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  27 

York  in  185 1  ;  he  remained  successively  a  member  of  Wood  and  Christy's; 
Wood's ;  and  George  Christy's  Minstrels,  covering  a  period  of  about  nine 
years. 

In  February,  1861,  he  organized  a  company  with  James  Budworth. 
I  On   November    10,    1862,   he   gave   the   first   performance   of   Campbell's 

Minstrels  at  what  is  now  known  as  the  Fourteenth  Street  Theatre,  New 
York :  June  27,  1864,  his  company  opened  at  what  is  now  known  as  the 
People's  Theatre,  New  York ;  January  16.  1865,  R.  M.  Hooley  became 
associated  in  the  management,  and  in  the  Spring  of  the  same  year  he  dis- 
posed of  his  interest  to  Hooley. 

Mr.  Campbell  had  various  minstrel  companies  until  about  1870,  when 
he  retired;  subsequently  he  was  identified  with  the  Evening  Nczcs,  New  York 
City. 

M.  C.  Campbell  was  born  in  London,  England,  1817;  he  died  in  New 
York,  January  6,  1883. 

Edwin  De.wes  was  associated  with  some  of  the  very  earliest  minstrel 
companies  in  existence  in  his  native  and  other  Eastern  cities  in  the  mid- 
dle 40's. 

About  1850  he  went  to  California,  where  he  remained  many  years.  \Mien 
he  first  played  in  the  great  coast  metropolis,  the  "theatre"  was  a  tent. 

Edwin  Deaves  had  a  pleasing  personality  and  a  commanding  presence, 
which  eminently  fitted  him  for  the  position  of  "middle-man"  in  the  various 
companies  in  which  he  was  associated.  Mr.  Deaves  was  among  the  first  to 
sing  the  lamented  Foster's  ballads,  such  as  "Old  Dog  Tray,"  "Nellie  Gray" 
and  others. 

When  George  Christy  and  his  company  arrived  in  San  Francisco  in  the 
Summer  of  1858,  Mr.  Deaves  at  once  became  a  member.  Likewise  was  he 
associated  there  with  Birch,  ^\'ambold,  Bernard,  Backus  and  many  other 
burnt  cork  luminaries  many  years  before  these  artists  made  a  metropolitan 
reputation. 

Edwin  Deaves  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  in  1817;  he  died  in  New  York 
City,  July  19,  1890. 

Eph.  Horn  (Evan  Evans  Horn)  was  a  name  to  conjure  with  for  many  years. 

His  professional  career  began  more  than  seventy  years  ago.  He  first  ap- 
peared in  New  York  City  about  1847  ^s  a  member  of  the  Ethiopian  Sere- 
naders. 

In  conjunction  with  Charley  White,  they  formed  Horn  and  White's 
Minstrels,  opening  in  New  York,  April  2,  185 1.  Subsequently  he  was  identi- 
fied with  practically  all  the  famous  permanent  minstrel  companies  in  the 
metropolis,  including  Wood's,  Campbell's.  Buckley's,  Bryant's,  and  E.  P. 
Christy's ;  with  the  latter  he  went  to  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  in  the  Fall  of  1854, 
where  he  remained  eighteen  months.  Subsequently  he  appeared  as  clown  in 
a  circus,  in  black  face.  In  1858  he  played  an  engagement  with  Ordway's 
Aeolians  in  Boston.  Mr.  Horn  was  a  fine  end  man  in  his  day,  and  all-round 
general  comedian. 

In  the  Summer  of  1865  he  went  to  London,  where  he  played  a  brief 
engagement. 

Eph.  Horn  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  1818;  he  died  in  New  York, 
January  i,  1877. 


28  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Sam  Gardner  (Sylvester  Gardner)  was  a  prominent  minstrel  interlocutor 
for  forty  years;  he  was  likewise  a  splendid  bass  singer,  and  had  been  identi- 
fied with  many  prominent  organizations,  notably  Wm.  Henry  Rice's  Min- 
strels in  Cincinnati,  with  whom  he  opened  September  2,  1872.  He  had  been 
a  resident  of  Omaha,  Neb.,  where  he  died  March  10,  1888,  for  many  years. 
He  was  born  in  New  York  City  about  1818. 

Zenas  Rumsey  was  one  of  the  early  minstrel  performers  of  the  '40's.  He 
possessed  a  good  tenor  voice,  and  from  1847  to  1850  he  sang  at  the  Bowery 
Theatre. 

That  year  he  married  Mary  Van  Keuren,  and  retired  from  the  profession. 

He  was  born  in  Shawangunk.  N.  Y. ;  he  died  in  Ellenville,  N.  Y.,  Decem- 
ber 10,  1891,  aged  73  years. 

Marshall  S.  Pike  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  minstrelsy,  as  well  as  one 
of  the  first  female  impersonaters.  In  1843  in  conjunction  with  the  Powers 
Brothers  and  L.  V.  H.  Crosby,  they  formed  a  little  company,  and  appearing 
with  whitened  faces  and  flaxen  wigs,  styled  themselves  the  Albino  Family 
subsequently  they  changed  to  blackened  features,  and  were  known  as  the 
Harmoneon  Family,  afterwards  the  Harmoneons.  It  was  this  company 
that  sang  for  President  Polk  in  the  White  House  in  1847. 

Mr.  Pike  married  in  1849,  and  in  that  same  year  joined  Ordway's  Aeo- 
lians  in  Boston,  and  continued  with  them  for  several  seasons,  leaving  in 
1857  and  organizing  "Pike's  Harmoneons." 

Subsequently  he  was  identified  with  various  dramatic  companies,  Mr. 
Pike  was  the  author  of' more  than  100  songs,  the  most  popular  of  which  was 
"Home  Again,"  written  in  1849. 

Marshall  S.  Pike  was  born  in  Westboro,  Mass.,  May  20,  1818;  he  died 
in  Upton,  Mass.,  February  13,  1901. 

Napoleon  W.  Gould,  famous  as  a  vocalist  and  guitarist  in  many  minstrel 
companies,  came  to  the  United  States  in   1848. 

He  joined  E.  P.  Christy's  Company  in  New  York  about  1850,  remaining 
about  four  years. 

In  1859  he  became  a  member  of  Bryant's  Minstrels,  same  city,  and 
continued  there  for  several  seasons.  His  last  professional  appearance  was 
with  George  Christy's  Minstrels  in  New  York  about  fifteen  years  previous 
to  his  death. 

Napoleon  W.  Gould  was  born  in  London,  England,  June  7,  1819;  he 
died  in  New  York,  May  23,  1881. 

John  H.  Collins  was  a  well-known  vocalist  with  various  minstrel  companies. 

He  was  the  husband  of  Julia  Gould,  the  prima  donna  of  Buckley's 
Minstrels. 

In  the  Spring  of  i860  he  was  with  Wood's  Minstrels,  and  in  the  Fall 
of  that  year  he  joined  Rumsey  and  Newcomb's  Company,  going  to  Cuba 
with  them,  where  he  died  in  December,  i860. 

"Pickaninny"  (Thomas  E. )  Coleman  was  one  of  the  early  black-face 
performers  ante-dating  minstrelsy  proper. 


30  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

He  played  many  engagements  in  New  York  in  the  early  40's,  with  John 
W.  Smith,  with  whom  he  made  a  trip  to  England  in  1840. 
He  died  in  Newark,  N.  J.,  July  5,  1859. 

John  Landis  was  one  of  the  old-time  minstrels  and  general  black-face  per- 
formers ;  he  was  with  Sam  Sanford's  Minstrels  in  1859,  and  at  one  time  was 
prominently  identified  with  his  own  company.  He  died  in  Philadelphia,  Sep- 
tember 19,  1863. 

S.  E.  Clark  was  one  of  the  early  interlocutors,  or  "middle-men"  of 
minstrelsy ;  he  was  rated  an  excellent  bass  vocalist,  and  was  with  the  Bryant's  in 
New  York  in  1857. 

He  died  in  New  Haven,  Conn.,  February  3,  i860. 

Julius  A.  von  Voniiurst  was  one  of  the  early  banjo  players  of  minstrelsy, 
and  practically  his  entire  career  was  spent  with  Sanford's  Minstrels  in  Phila- 
delphia. 

Pie  married  a  Miss  Luther  about  1854,  and  three  years  later  retired  from 
the  profession. 

He  died  at  Reading,  Pa.,  February  16,  1869,  aged  40  years. 

Jim  Carter,  one  of  the  earliest  of  black-face  performers,  and  whose  portrait 
may  be  seen  on  another  page,  was  also  one  of  the  original  Campbell's  Min- 
strels, organized  June,  1847. 

He  died  many  years  ago. 

Philip  Rice  was  one  of  the  pioneer  banjo  players  of  minstrelsy. 

In  the  very  early  days  he  constructed  an  instrument  by  tacking  a  skin 
over  a  peck  measure  that  had  been  sawed  in  half;  this  attracted  wide  at- 
tention. 

June  18,  1856,  he  was  with  Dave  Reed's  Minstrels  on  board  the  steamer 
"James   Raymond,"  which  traveled  on  the   Mississippi    River. 

He  died  at  Grand  Lake,  Ark.,  December  4,  1857. 

Tom  Raleigh  (T.  R.  Mahan),  one  of  the  musicians  of  the  real  early  days 
of  minstrelsy,  was  accidentally  shot  and  killed  by  Frank  Hussey,  comedian,  in 
San  Francisco,  December  5,  1859. 

George  Lea,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  the  variety  theatre  business  in  New 
York  City,  was  the  proprietor  of  Lea's  Minstrels  at  185  Chatham  Street,  in 
the  Fall  of  1853. 

He  died  at  Port  Jervis,  N.  Y.,  August  20,  1902, 

"Picayune"  Butler  (John  Butler),  one  of  the  best  of  the  early  banjoists, 
and  who  made  famous  the  song  "Picayune  Butler's  Comin'  to  Town,"  had 
considerable  vogue  in  the  50's. 

He  died  in  New  York  City,  November  18,   1864. 

George  A.'  Harrington  was  one  of  the  members  of  the  Ethiopian  Serenaders 


FROM  "DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  31 

who  appeared  in  New  York,  September  15,  1845.  The  following  year  they 
appeared  in  London,  England. 

He  was  a  good  bass  singer  and  banjoist,  and  was  the  first  to  sing  "Lucy 
Neal." 

He  died  in  Philadelphia,  January,  1859. 

William  Parrow,  who  was  with  Joe.  Sweeney's  Minstrels  in  the  40's,  and 
was  said  to  be  the  original  Old  Bob  Ridley,  was  murdered  at  Lebanon, 
Tenn. ;  he  died  November  29,  1870. 


Wm.  Henry  Rice,  long  famous  for  his  burlesque  female  impersonations, 
sat  on  the  end  with  his  own  minstrel  company  in  Cincinnati,  September, 
1872. 


"Pony"  Moore  (George  Washington  Moore).  This  unique  character  in 
minstrelsy,  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  enjoyed  the  double  distinction  of 
being  the  oldest  living  minstrel,  as  well  as  having  attained  greater  longevity 
than  any  other  known  black-face  performer. 

There  have  been  many  versions  of  the  veteran's  interesting  career.  Mr. 
Moore  in  a  letter  to  the  author,  dated  Decembr  3,  1908,  says  his  first  ap- 
pearance was  in  New  York  with  Welch  and  Delevan  at  the  old  Broadway 
Circus  in  negro  opera,  playing  in  black-face,  in  1844. 

In  a  series  of  articles  commencing  August  i,  1909,  in  Lloyd's  Weekly 
Nezvs  (London,  England),  Air.  Aloore  stated  that  he  must  have  been  about 
twenty-one  when  he  first  blacked  his  face,  and  speaks  of  Frank  Brower,  who 
was  in  the  same  company  with  him  as  having  got  the  idea  of  making  the 
first  set  of  "bones"  then  known. 

This  would  make  the  date  1841.  and  as  the  incident  concerning  Brower 
actually  did  occur  while  with  Roger's  Circus,  during  the  week  of  July  4, 
that  year,  the  date  of  his  first  appearance  in  black-face  may  be  safely  stated 
to  have  been  in  1841.  Previous  to  this,  however,  he  had  been  associated  in 
many  capacities  with  various  circuses,  but  chiefly  as  a  driver ;  it  had  been 
said  that  he  handled  as  many  as  forty  horses  at  one  time,  and  in  that  way 
received  the  sobriquet  of  "Pony,"  which  clung  to  him  all  his  life. 

It  was  in  1844  that  his  first  prominent  engagement  as  a  black-face  per- 
former, however,  occurred. 

Mr.  Moore  further  stated  that  "he  joined  Haworth  and  Horton's  Opera 
Troupe,  September  13,  1854,  and  the  year  following  organized  Hunter,  Hed- 
den  and  Moore's  Troupe." 

It  is  a  fact  that  J.  Hunter  and  William  Hedden,  the  one  a  comedian  and 
the  other  a  fine  dancer,  were  with  Raynor's  "Christy"  Minstrels  as  late  as 
May  I,  1856,  as  likewise  was  "Pony"  Moore.  The  Raynor  Company  re- 
turned to  New  York  and  opened  there  on  February  2,  1857,  playing  about 
a  month,  after  which  they  took  a  tour  previous  to  their  departure  for  Eng- 
land ;  Mr.  Moore  left  the  company  at  the  conclusion  of  the  New  York  en- 
gagement, and  at  once  joined  Matt.  Peel's  Minstrels;  he  continued  with  this 
company  until  in  the  Summer  of  1858,  they  played  an  engagement  in  New 
York.  A  short  time  later  Matt.  Peel  left  the  organization  which  subsequently 
was  known  as  Sniflfen's  Campbell's  Minstrels. 

Mr.  Moore  continued  with  this  troupe  until  February  12,  1859,  on  which 


32  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

date  he  left  to  rejoin  Matt.  Peel's  company,  continuing  with  the  latter  until 
his  (Peefs)  death,  May  4,  1859;  after  which  he  became  a  member  of  Burtis' 
Varieties  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

One  month  later  Earl  Pierce  died  in  London,  England.  Pierce  had  been 
a  great  favorite  in  the  British  Metropolis,  and  J.  W.  Raynor  sent  for  \V.  W. 
Newcomb,  the  well-known  comedian,  to  take  the  place  of  the  deceased. 

Evidently  Mr.  Newcomb  did  not  relish  the  idea  of  a  sea  trip,  and  "Pony" 
Moore,  on  his  own  initiative,  went  to  London  and  presented  himself  to  his 
former  manager.  It  is  an  odd  fact  that  on  this  occasion  Mr.  Moore  had  to 
sign  an  agreement  "not  to  be  too  funny." 

It  had  been  remarked  that  during  the  period  of  Pierce's  death  and  the 
subsequent  occupation  of  his  chair  by  Moore,  that  it  remained  vacant.  This 
is  inaccurate.  Pendmg  the  advent  of  "Pony"  Moore,  it  was  occupied  by 
W.  P.' Collins,  a  member  of  the  company.  Mr.  Moore  continued  with  the 
company  for  one  year,  at  the  expiration  of  which,  Mr.  Raynor  retired  to 
private  life.  Several  companies  sprang  from  the  parent  organization,  one 
of  which,  Wilsom  and  Montague's  "Christy's,"  Mr.  Moore  joined. 

It  is  pertinent  at  this  juncture  to  remark  that  from  this  period,  all  min- 
strel organizations  were  known  as  "Christy's"  in  England. 

Mr.  Moore  continued  with  Wilsom  and  Montague  for  about  four  years, 
and  immediately  after,  in  conjunction  with  Johnny  Ritter,  J.  P.  Crocker  and 
Henry  Hamilton,  organized  a  company  bearing  their  names ;  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  latter,  all  were  performers.  They  gave  their  first  performance 
at  Chester,  England,  November  14,  1864. 

After  playing  through  the  provinces  for  several  months,  they  opened  in 
London,  at  St.  James  Hall,  September  18,  1865.  Subsequently  through  pur- 
chase and  death's  intervention,  Mr.  Moore  was  sole  owner  of  the  com- 
pany. Later,  Fred.  Burgess  was  taken  in  partnership,  and  as  Moore  and 
Burgess'  Minstrels  flourished  several  years.  Mr.  Moore's  last  appearance 
with  his  own  company  was  in  January,  1894. 

April  9,  1904,  saw  the  last  of  permanent  minstrelsy  in  London.  It 
seemed  that  a  minstrel  show  at  St.  James  Hall  without  "Pony"  Moore  was 
like  "Hamlet"  without  Hamlet. 

Mr.  Moore's  last  appearance  was  made  in  London  at  the  Pavilion  for 
the  benefit  of  Mr.  Frank  Glenister. 

Air.  Moore  was  twice  married ;  first  about  i860,  and  subsequently  in 
1884.  Three  daughters  were  the  result  of  the  first  union.  They  married 
Fred.  Vokes,  of  the  famous  theatrical  family  of  that  rtame ;  Charles  Mitchell, 
the  former  champion  pugilist,  and  Eugene  Stratton,  the  premier  black-face 
vaudeville  artist  in  England.  With  the  exception  of  the  latter,  all  were 
English  born. 

"Pony"  Mo'^re  was  born  in  New  York  City,  February  22,  1820;  he  died 
in  London,  England,  October  i,  1909. 

Fe.\nk  Lynch  was  one  of  the  great  dancers  of  early  minstrelsy.  He 
traveled  with  Barnum  in  the  40's  as  "John  Diamond,"  after  the  great  show- 
man had  had  difficulties  with  the  original  Diamond.  Lynch  was  last  heard 
of  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  in  1859. 

Morris  Abrams  is  one  of  the  oldest  living  black-face  performers.     He  did 


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JOE— FOX  &  WARD— \VM.  H. 
(The  oldest  team  of  theatrical  partners  in  existence) 


NED— MONROE    S:   MACK— KELLER 


DICK— QUILTER  &  GOLDRICH— PETE 


JAS.— PELL,&   LEWIS— TOM 
(Portraits  reserved) 


34  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

nigger  business  on  the  style  of  "Daddy"  Rice  in  England,  after  Rice's  phe- 
nomenal success  there  in  the  30's. 

Mr.  Abrams  is  said  to  be  living  in  retirement  in  Brighton,  England. 

Lansing  DtJRAND,  one  of  the  four  original  performers  of  E.  P.  Christy's 
Minstrels,  was  a  jig  dancer  of  exceptional  merit.  In  later  years  he  was  of  the 
team  of  Painter  and  Durand,  gymnasts.    He  was  living  as  late  as  1872. 

John  Arnold  Cave  is  probably  the  oldest  living  black-face  performer. 

He  made  a  reputation  in  England  more  than  sixty  years  ago  doing 
nigger  acts  with  the  late  E.  W.  Mackney. 

Mr.  Cave  is  said  to  be  at  present  a  guest  of  the  Charter  House,  where 
he  obtained  through  the  late  King  of  England.  He  (Cave)  was  formerly 
proprietor  of  the  Old  Vic  Theatre,  London,  England. 

George  Raynor  was  a  well-known  minstrel  vocalist,  and  a  brother  of  j.  W. 
Raynor,  the  famous  manager.  He  was  with  Wood's  Minstrels  in  i860,  also 
other  prominent  organizations. 

He  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  April  2,  1864,  aged  43  years. 

Sam  Sanford,  whose  correct  name  is  said  to  have  been  Lindsay,  was  one  of 
the  pioneer  minstrel  managers  and  performers. 

His  first  appearance  was  at  the  age  of  nine  years.  He  subsequently 
joined  a  circus,  and  on  February  16,  1843,  ^or  the  first  time  assumed  mana- 
gerial duties.  About  1846  he  joined  Buckley's  Company,  and  went  to  Eng- 
land with  them,  returning  late  in  1848. 

Mr.  Sanford  left  the  Bucjkleys  about  two  years  later. 

He  built  the  first  theatre  ever  constructed  especially  for  a  minstrel  com- 
pany, at  Twelfth  and  Chestnut  Streets,  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  which  he  opened 
August  I,  1853;  it  was  destroyed  December  9,  following.  April  23,  1855, 
Sanford's  Minstrels  opened  at  the  Eleventh  Street  Opera  House,  that  city ;  he 
continued  until  the  Spring  of  1862. 

Subsequently  Mr.  Sanford  had  other  theatres  in  the  Quaker  City,  and 
one  in  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  as  well  as  many  traveling  minstrel  organizations. 

About  1875  he  essayed  the  role  of  Uncle  Tom,  and  played  that  character 
at  intervals  for  several  years.  In  his  day  Mr.  Sanford  was  rated  as  one  of 
the  best  comedians  of  his  time.  Sam  Sanford  was  born  in  New  York  City 
January  i,  1821  ;  he  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  December  31,  1905. 

Cool  White  (John  Hodges')  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  minstrelsy:  he 
entered  it  at  its  inception,  and  for  many  years  was  one  of  the  most  brilliant 
luminaries.  Mr.  White  was  a  grand  interlocutor,  and  an  actor  of  no  ordi- 
nary merit. 

As  early  as  1838  he  appeared  at  the  Walnut  Street  Theatre  in  his  native 
city,  singing  songs  in  black-face  between  the  acts.  He  portrayed  the  dandy 
negro,  and  as  such  was  very  successful. 

In  1843  'ic  organized  the  Virginia  Serenaders.  Later  he  organized  the 
Sable  Melodists,  and  sUbsequentl)'  Sliter's  Empire  Minstrels,  and  was  with 
them  four  years.  He  then  appeared  as  a  Shakespearian  clown  with  Spalding 
and  Rogers  Circus,  and  after  engagements  with  some  other  minstrel  com- 


FROM  -DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  35 

panics,  he  joined  Sam  Sanford's  ]\Iinstrels  in  Philadelphia  about  1855,  and 
continued  there  about  four  years. 

He  then  went  to  New  York,  and  later  organized  Cool  White's  Broad- 
way Minstrels,  and  on  September  12,  1870,  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  with  Archie 
Hughes  and  Fayette  Welch,  started  a  permanent  minstrel  company  in  that 
city. 

In  the  Fall  of  1879  he  played  Uncle  Tom.  For  several  years  prior  to 
his  death  he  had  been  connected  with  Hooley's  Theatre  in  Chicago. 

Cool  White  was  born  in  Philadelphia  July  28,  182 1  ;  he  died  in  Chicago, 
Ai)ril  23,  1891. 

Charles  T.  White  was  one  of  the  greatest  men  that  minstrelsy  produced. 
His  career  began  with  minstrelsy  in  1843,  at  which  time  he  appeared  with 
various  small  companies. 

The  following  year  he  organized  the  Kitchen  Minstrels,  and  was  with 
many  companies  until  Xovember  24,  1846,  when  he  opened  the  Melodeon  at 
S3  Bowery,  New  York.     He  was  twice  burnt  out,  but  rebuilt  each  time. 

The  place  finally  closed  April  22,  1854,  and  on  August  7,  following  he 
opened  a  place  at  49  Bower}- ;  each  establishment  was  run  as  a  minstrel 
show ;  the  admission  was  6^4  and  12JX  cents.  Mr.  White  was  again  burnt 
out,  and  later  opened  places  at  585  and  598  Broadway.  He  was  w-ith  Mrs. 
Matt.  Peel's  Minstrels  about  1861. 

He  was  the  author  of  innumerable  minstrel  sketches,  some  of  which 
are  yet  in  use.  For  several  seasons  he  had  traveled  with  the  "WHiite  Slave," 
and  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  a  member  of  Edward  Harrigan's  Company, 
playing  Mrs.  Jackson  in  "Reilly  and  the  400,"  a  black-face  part. 

Mr.  White  w-as  twice  married. 

Charles  T.  White  w-as  born  in  New  York  June  4,  182 1 ;  he  died  there 
January  4,  1891. 

Bob  Shepp.\rd.  This  famous  old-time  performer  began  his  career  as  a  jig 
dancer  in  his  native  city  in  1832:  the  "theatre"  where  he  made  his  debut 
being  no  less  a  place  than  his  father's  slaughter-house :  the  admission  6^4 
cents,  with  the  privilege  of  looking  at  the  cattle :  the  audience  usually  had  a 
"bully"  time. 

In  1856  he  opened  a  concert  hall  in  Philadelphia,  where  many  artists 
of  prominence  in  later  years  made  their  appearance. 

In  Bob  Sheppard's  day,  performers  had  to  be  versatile  ;  and  as  a  dancer 
and  tambourine  player,  he  had  no  superior  in  his  time ;  but  in  the  delineation 
of  Old  Bob  Ridley,  he  excelled. 

He  was  with  some  notable  organizations,  including  Shorey's  Minstrels 
in  1863. 

Bob  Sheppard  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  in  1821  ;  he  died  there  August 
15,  1898. 

Andy  Leavitt  made  his  first  stage  appearance  April  8.  1837. 

In  1842  he  leased  Bleeker  Hall  in  Boston  and  transformed  it  into  Lea- 
vitt's  Opera  House.  As  early  as  1858  he  traveled  with  Leavitt's  Ethiopian 
Troupe,  and  that  same  year  he  opened  a  small  theatre  at  22  Beaver  Street, 
Albany,  N.  Y. 


36  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

March  30,  1859,  he  leased  the  Gayetj^  Theatre  on  Green  Street,  in  the 
same  city.  In  the  early  70's  he  went  to  the  Howard  Athenaeum  in  Boston, 
where  for  many  years  he  remained.  He  was  especially  clever  in  the  acts  with 
Harry  Bloodgood ;  the  latter  doing  the  comedy. 

Andy  Leavitt  was  an  unusually  intelligent  performer,  and  was  the 
author  of  several  negro  farces  that  were  widely  used. 

He  was  likewise  responsible  for  the  song  "Ham  Fat,"  that  achieved 
great  vogue  several  years  ago. 

In  1882  and  1889  he  played  white-face  parts  with  "Joshua  Whitcomb" 
and  "Two  Sisters"  respectively ;  his  stage  career  ended  about  this  time. 
About  1891  he  secured  a  position  as  stage  door  man  at  the  Hollis  Theatre, 
Boston,  which  he  retained  five  years. 

Andy  Leavitt  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  in  1822 ;  he  died  there  Febru- 
ary I,  1901. 

William  B.  Donaldson  was  the  inventor  of  the  jawbone  used  as  a  musical 
instrument  by  black-face  performers  several  years  before  the  first  minstrel 
performance  was  given. 

He  was  associated  with  minstrel  and  circus  organizations  for  forty  years, 
and  was  the  first  black-face  clown  to  appear  in  a  ring. 

Like  most  performers  of  his  day,  he  played  the  banjo ;  but  Mr.  Donald- 
son created  a  sensation  by  playing  it  with  his  left  hand. 

His  professional  debut  was  made  in  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  in  1836,  as 
"Young  Jim  Crow,"  after  the  style  of  "Daddy"  Rice.  In  June,  1847,  he  was 
one  of  the  five  original  members  of  the  first  Campbell's  Minstrels. 

About  three  years  before  his  death  he  became  proprietor  of  the  Lock- 
.  wood  House  in  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y. 

William  B.  Donaldson  was  born  October  13,  1822 ;  he  died  in  Pough- 
keepsie, N.  Y.,  April  16,  1873. 

Bob  Edwards  (Dean)  was  one  of  the  earliest  bone  players,  arid  in  his  youth 
was  known  as  "Master"  Edwards. 

In  1841-42  he  traveled  though  Pennsylvania  as  a  jig  dancer.  In  1843 
and  1844  he  was  a  member  of  the  famous  Ethiopian  Serenaders,  a  group 
picture  of  which  will  be  found  on  another  page. 

Subsequently  he  withdrew  from  that  company,  and  joined  Sanford's  Min- 
strels in  Philadelphia,  where  he  remained  for  a  long  time. 

In  1862  he  had  the  Gayety  Music  Hall  in  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  and  a  few 
years  before  his  death  was  proprietor  of  his  own  company. 

Bob  Edwards  was  born  in  Philadelphia  in  1822 ;  he  died  in  Buffalo,  N. 
Y.,  July  24,  1872. 

George  Guy  was  the  founder  of  the  famed  Guy  Bros.  Minstrels. 

Mr.  Guy,  who  was  an  excellent  baritone  vocalist,  had  the  unique  dis- 
tinction of  sitting  in  the  first  part  with  his  six  sons ;  an  occurrence  that  had 
no  parallel  in  minstrelsy. 

The  original  Guy  family  of  entertainers  consisted  of  father,  mother, 
daughter  and  six  sons. 

Mr.  Guy's  principal  engagements  were  with  Christy's,  and  Kelly  and 
Leon's  Minstrels.  About  1874  he  organized  the  Guy  Brothers  Minstrels 
as  a  permanent  institution,  and  as  such  it  has  continued  ever  since. 


SAM.    SWAIN 


SAM.    SHARPLEY 


BILLY  CARTER  SURROUNDED  BY  SOME  CELEBRATED  "SAMS." 


38  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

i\Ir.  Guy  married  Amelia  Evans  in  London,  England,  in  185 1. 
George  Guy,  Sr.,  was  born  in  London,  England,  January  20,  1822 ;  he 
died  in  Springfield,  Mass.,  February  23,  1895. 

R.  M.  HooLEY  was  associated  with  all  that  was  best  in  minstrelsy. 

He  came  to  America  in  1844,  and  on  August  17,  the  following  year,  he 
played  his  first  engagement  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  as  "leader"  of  E.  P.  Christy's 
Minstrels :  he  remained  with  Christy  for  two  years. 

About  185 1  he  organized  his  own  company,  and  took  same  to  Europe, 
where  he  played  Paris,  Boulogne,  Brussels  and  other  Continental  cities.  Dur- 
ing the  50's  he  was  associated  in  the  management  of  Maguire's  Minstrels 
in  California,  and  in  1858  was  proprietor  with  Maguire  of  George  Christy's 
Minstrels  in  San  Francisco. 

Returning  to  New  York  in  1859,  he  soon  separated  from  Christy,  and 
on  February  6,  i860,  in  co-partnership  with  Sher.  Campbell  and  G.  W.  H. 
Griffin,  organized  Hooley  and  Campbell's  Minstrels;  this  company  dis- 
banded in  July,  1861,  and  the  following  year  Mr.  Hooley  opened  his  famous 
minstrel  hall  in  Brooklyn,  where  he  continued  for  several  years. 

During  the  above  period  Hooley  had  a  company  in  Philadelphia  at  the 
old  Seventh  Street  Theatre,  from  September  7  to  October  17,  1868. 

October  19,  1868,  he  opened  another  minstrel  show  in  Brooklyn,  at  the 
Odeon,  the  present  site  of  the  Novelty  Theatre. 

The  home  of  the  original  Hooley  Company  was  destroyed  by  fire  May 
12,  1865,  and  that  same  month  the  energetic  manager  opened  at  201  Bowery, 
New  York,  the  present  site  of  the  People's  Theatre.  January  2,  1871,  Mr. 
Hooley  opened  Brj-an  Hall,  the  present  Grand  Opera  House  in  Chicago,  and 
remained  several  months. 

The  big  fire  of  October,  1871,  having  destroyed  his  theatre,  Mr.  Hooley 
thereupon  built  what  is  now  known  as  Power's  Theatre,  Chicago,  which  he 
opened  with  his  company  in  1872,  and  flourished  about  three  years,  when  he 
returned  to  his  old  love  in  Brooklyn,  and  began  an  engagement  in  1875. 

In  the  Spring  of  1876  in  conjunction  with  Billy  Rice,  he  formed  Rice 
and  Hooley's  Minstrels  for  a  road  tour;  December,  1876,  they  opened  at 
Hooley's  old  Opera  House  in  Brooklyn  for  a  limited  engagement.  Mr. 
Hooley  again  went  to  Chicago,  and  on  March  i,  1880,  opened  with  a  min- 
strel company  at  the  Novelty  Theatre. 

In  September,  1882  he  associated  with  Rice;  and  Billy  Rice  and  Hooley's 
Minstrels  opened  in  Joliet,  111.,  but  disbanded  after  a  few  months. 

Mr.  Hooley  married  Miss  Rosina  Cramer  of  New  York,  in  San  Francisco, 
about  1856,  after  a  brief  but  romantic  courtship. 

R.  M.  Hooley  was  born  in  Ballina,  Ireland,  April  13,  1822 ;  he  died  in 
Chicago,  111.,  September  8,  1893. 

WiLLi.\M  A.  Porter,  one  of  the  earliest  members  of  E.  P.  Christy's  Minstrels, 
made  his  first  theatrical  appearance  as  a  supernumary  in  the  old  Chatham 
Theatre,  New  York,  in  the  fall  of  1841. 

His  debut  as  a  black-face  performer  occurred  in  the  Spring  of  1844  with 
the  Clark  Brothers  Panorama  Show. 

I\Ir.  Porter  made  his  first  appearance  with  E.  P.  Christy's  Minstrels  at 
the  Eagle  Street  Theatre,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  April  5,  1845. 


FROM  "DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  39 

February  15.  1847,  he  opened  with  the  company  at  Mechanic's  Hall, 
New  York,  and  remained  there  until  1853,  after  which,  in  the  Fall  of  that 
year,  he  became  a  member  of  George  Christy  and  Henry  Wood's  Minstrels. 

Mr.  Porter  subsequently  went  to  California  and  identified  himself  with 
Backus'  Minstrels  there. 

Early  in  1855  he  rejoined  E.  P.  Christy's  Company  in  San  Francisco, 
acting  as  business  manager. 

In  August,  same  year,  he  set  sail  for  Australia  with  Backus'  Minstrels ; 
he  remained  in  that  country  until  1859.  during  which  period  he  engaged 
in  mining  and  mercantile  pursuits,  as  well  as  following  his  profession. 

Mr.  Porter  returned  to  New  York  about  September,  1870,  later  making 
his  home  at  Johnsonburg,  N.  Y.,  where  he  died  January  18,  1906. 

William  A.  Porter  was  born  in  Hartford,  Conn.,  May  4,  1822. 

J.  W.  R.wxoR  (Rea)  came  to  America  at  the  age  of  ten  years. 

His  first  professional  appearance  was  as  a  vocalist  in  New  York  City 
about  1845.  In  June,  1847,  ^Ir.  Raynor  was  one  of  the  original  members 
that  comprised  the  first  Campbell's  ]\Iinstrels. 

Not  long  after  this  he  joined  E.  P.  Christy's  Minstrels  in  New  York  City, 
and  continued  with  them  until  the  dissolution  of  the  company  in  that  city, 
July,  1854.  Mr.  Raynor  then  organized  a  "Christy  Minstrels"  and  for  three 
years  traveled  successfully  in  the  United  States  and  Canada.  July  11,  1857, 
in  partnership  with  Earl  Pierce,  he  sailed  with  a  company  for  England, 
where  they  opened  in  London,  August  3,  following. 

He  met  with  immediate  and  lasting  success,  and  exactly  three  years 
from  the  date  he  left  America,  Mr.  Raynor  announced  his  retirement,  and 
returned  to  the  United  States,  arriving  August  15,  i860. 

Less  than  four  years  later  the  old  fever  came  back  to  Mr.  Raynor, 
and  he  organized  another  "Christy's"  Minstrels,  and  continued  at  its  head 
until  about  January  i.  1866,  when  he  laid  aside  business  cares  of  that  nature 
for  good  and  all,  settling  down  in  Paterson,  N.  J.,  where  he  became  one  of 
its  most  honored  citizens. 

J.  W.  Raynor  was  born  in  Ireland  March  31,  1823;  he  died  in  North 
Paterson,  N.  J.,  April  5,  1900. 

George  Kunkel  began  his  career  as  a  black-face  performer  in  1844.  In 
1853  he  organized  a  minstrel  company  that  became  famous  as  the  Night- 
ingale Serenaders ;  they  traveled  until  1855. 

In  the  latter  year  Mr.  Kunkel  became  manager  of  a  theatre  in  Baltimore, 
and  continued  in  such  until  i8fii,  when  he  again  reorganized  his  minstrel 
company  for  a  tour.  In  1866  the  company  was  formed  for  the  third  time 
for  a  brief  engagement,  after  which  Mr.  Kunkel  played  LTncle  Tom,  and 
for  many  years,  or  until  shortly  before  his  death,  he  appeared  in  that  role, 
in  which  he  was  eminently  successful. 

He  married  Ada  Proctor,  the  actress,  about  1861. 

George  Kunkel  was  born  in  Green  Castle,  Pa. ;  he  died  in  Baltimore,  Md., 
January  25,  1885  ;  aged  62  years. 

Joseph  T.  Trowbridge  was  prominent  as  a  bass  singer  and  interlocutor. 
He  joined   Ordway's   Aeolians   in   Boston   in    1852,   and   continued   with 


40  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

them  until  December,  1857,  when  Johnny  Pell,  Lon  and  Billy  Morris  and 
John  T.  Huntley,  organized  a  company  bearing  their  names,  and  opened  in 
Boston.  Mr.  Trowbridge  was  with  them.  Mr.  Huntley  withdrew  about 
March,  1859,  and  the  company  was  thereafter  known  as  that  of  Morris 
Bros.,  Pell  and  Trowbridge,  and  as  such  it  continued  until  1867.  He  later 
became  identified  in  the  management  of  two  Boston  theatres.  About  1872 
he  retired  from  active  business. 

Jos.  T.  Trowbridge  was  born  in  Newtonville,  Mass.,  September,  1823; 
he  died  in  Chelsea,  Mass.,  Jan.  11,  1891. 

Hank  Mason  was  familiarly  known  as  "Hank,  the  Mason."  He  was  one 
of  the  foremost  jig  dancers  in  the  early  days  of  minstrelsy.  He  was  born 
April  18,  1823;  he  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  October  9,  1885. 

W.  W.  Newcomb  (Coomb)  was  one  of  the  best  known  performers  of 
minstrelsy. 

As  a  boy  he  traveled  with  circuses.  In  the  late  40's  he  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  Bije  Thayer,  of  Boston,  and  successfully  conducted  a  minstrel 
company  about  four  years. 

He  made  his  first  New  York  appearance  in  December,  185 1 ;  subse- 
quently playing  with  Fellowe's  Minstrels,  and  later  Wood's  Minstrels,  in 
New  York,  with  whom  he  remained  until  July,  1853.  That  same  year  he 
went  with  Campbell's  Minstrels,  and  continued  four  years  with  them. 

In  1857  with  Hy.  Rumsey  he  organized  Rumsey  and  Newcomb's  Min- 
strels, playing  in  the  United  States,  Canada,  Cuba,  England  and  Germany. 
The  organization  broke  up  in  London  in  the  Spring  of  1862. 

Mr.  Newcomb  and  Eph.  Horn  organized  a  company  the  following  year; 
Mr.  Horn  soon  dropped  out,  and  Newcomb's  Minstrels  continued  until 
1871. 

April  17,  that  year,  Newcomb  and  Arlington's  Minstrels  opened  in  New 
York,  on  the  present  site  of  the  Fifth  Avenue  Theatre. 

Mr.  Newcomb  subsequently  appeared  with  various  companies,  his  last 
appearance  being  at  Hooley's  Theatre  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  February  17, 
1877. 

"Bill"  Newcomb  was  the  originator  of  the  "Essence  of  Old  Virginny" 
dance ;  a  great  end  man ;  and  he  was  especially  noted  for  his  stump  speeches. 

W.  W.  Newcomb  was  born  in  Utica,  N.  Y.,  Aug.  4,  1823 ;  he  died  in 
New  York  May  i,  1877. 

John  Diamond  was  one  of,  if  not  the  greatest  jig  dancers  that  the  world 
ever  knew.     - 

At  a  very  early  age  he  gave  evidence  of  the  wonderful  talents  he  pos- 
sessed, but  it  was  not  until  the  late  P.  T.  Barnum  took  him  in  hand,  and  at 
Vauxhall  Garden,  New  York,  in  the  Spring  of  1840,  and  brought  him  out, 
and  subsequently  took  him  all  over  the  Union,  and  later  to  Europe,  that  he 
achieved  the  recognition  he  so  richly  deserved. 

After  the  original  four  had  given  their  first  minstrel  performance  in 
February,  1843,  Diamond  was  called  upon  to  strengthen  the  quartette  at  a 
subsequent  performance,  a  very  short  time  later. 


JOIIX   MULLIGAN 


MILT.    G.    BARLOW 


LEW.  PARKER 


JOHN  PENDY 


BILLY  ARLINGTON 


DAN.    SHELBY 


GEO.  EDWARDS 


HUBERT   W.    EAGAN 


BILLY  McAllister 


PROMINENT  PERFORMERS  OF  THE  PAST  AND  PRESENT. 


42  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

On  July  8,  1844,  he  danced  a  contest  with  Master  Juba,  the  colored 
dancer,  aiW  the  greatest  his  race  ever  knew. 

He  was  feted  and  courted  for  many  years,  but  dissipation  and  riotous 
living  carried  him  to  an  early  grave. 

John  Diamond  was  born  in  New  York  City,  in  1823 ;  he  died  in  Phila- 
delphia, October  29,  1857. 

J'.  A.  Herman  (Simonson)  was  one  of  the  very  earliest  ballad  singers  in 
minstrelsy :  he  was  the  possessor  of  a  sweet  tenor  voice  which  he  used  in 
rendering  the  old  songs  to  excellent  advantage. 

Mr.  Herman's  first  appearance  was  in  New  York,  at  the  Olympic  The- 
atre, in  1839,  singing  "Norah  McShane." 

His  first  minstrel  engagement  was  with  the  "Campbell's";  he  was  with 
this  company  in  New  York  as  early  as  October  17,  1848. 

Subsequently  he  was  associated  with  Wood  and  Fellowe's ;  Henry  Wood 
in  1852;  VVood  and  Christy  from  1853  to  1858:  in  the  Fall  of  that  year  he 
joined  SnifFen's  "Campbell's"  Minstrels,  and  when  George  Christy  returned 
from  California  in  the  Summer  of  1859,  Mr.  Herman  went  with  him,  and 
continued  with  Christy  for  a  long  period. 

About  1863  he  joined  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  and  remained 
with  them  several  years ;  barring  the  time  Hooley  was  in  Chicago. 

Mr.  Herman's  two  brothers,  George  W.  and  William  H.,  were  both 
old-time  minstrels.  Mr.  Herman  retired  from  the  profession  a  great  many 
years  before  his  death. 

J.  A.  Herman  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  January  i,  1823;  he  died 
at  Wood  Haven,  Long  Island,  N.  Y.,  January  23,  1901. 

*■  D.\N  Rices  (McLaren),  the  world-famous  clown,  in  conjunction  with  Sam 
Sanford  and  others,  in  blackface,  appeared  in  New  York  City  at  Palmo's  Opera 
House  in  the  spring  of  1843. 

He  was  born  in  New  York  City,  January  25,  1823 ;  he  died  in  Long 
Branch,  N.  J.,  February  22,  1900. 

Joseph  D.  Murphy  (Donnelly)  began  his  minstrel  career  in  the  middle 
40's  as  a  member  of  the  Sable  Harmonists ;  he  was  then  a  ballad  singer. 

On  the  17th  day  of  July,  1850,  Mr.  Murphy,  Luke  West,  Matt.  Peel  and 
James  Norris  formed  an  organization  known  as  the  "Original  Campbell 
Minstrels ;"  subsequently  Mr.  Norris  retiring,  the  company  flourished  for 
several  seasons  as  Murphy,  West  and  Peel's  Minstrels. 

About  i860  Mr.  Murphy  retired  from  minstrelsy  and  assumed  various 
executive  positions,  notably  as  business  manager  at  the  Arch  Street  The- 
atre in  Philadelphia,  where  he  remained  for  fifteen  years. 

Mr.  Murphy  was  a  half  brother  of  Jno.  F.  Dorfnelly. 

Jos.  D.  Murphy  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  January  11,  1823;  he  died  there 
January  i,  1884. 

C.  L.  Huntley,  a  member  of  Thayer's  Boston  Sable  Harmonists  about 
1850,  was  a  fine  guitar  player,  and  very  proficient  in  the  manipulation  of  the 
bones. 

He  died  in  Boston,  Mass.,  April  13,  1883;  aged  about  60  years. 


FROM  "DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  43 


Tom  Vaughn  was  one  of  the  earliest  banjoists  of  minstrelsy.  When  sixteen 
years  of  age  he  made  his  professional  debut  with  Holt  and  Nichols  Circus; 
later  he  joined  Turner  and  Rockwell's,  and  Welch  and  Mann's  Circuses.  Af- 
ter this  he  went  to  Buffalo,  and  met  E.  P.  Christy,  and  when  the  latter 
formed  the  minstrel  company  that  bore  his  name,  Mr.  Vaughn  was  one  of 
the  four  original  members.  He  continued  with  Mr.  Christy  until  the  disso- 
lution of  the  company  in  July,  1854,  and  a  few  months  later  went  with 
Christy's  Minstrels  to  California. 

Mr.  Vaughn  returned  to  New  York  in  1855,  and  opened  Vaughn's  Min- 
strels there  that  same  j-ear.  Subsequently  he  was  with  Wood  and  Christy's 
and  George  Christy's  Minstrels  for  several  years,  mostly  in  the  Metropolis. 

Tom  Vaughn  was  born  in  New  York,  September  5,  1823;  he  died  in 
Zanesville,  Ohio,  September  3,  1875. 

J.  T.  HuNTi-EY  was  one  of  the  early  wench  dancers  of  minstrelsy. 

In  December,  1857,  he,  with  Lon  and  Billy  Morris  and  Johnny  Pell, 
seceded  from  Ordway's  Aeolians  in  Boston,  and  organized  in  that  cit}'  a 
minstrel  company  bearing  their  names,  which  they  conducted  successfully 
for  about  two  years,  after  which  Mr.  Huntley  organized  his  own  minstrel 
company  and  played  an  engagement  at  the  Eleventh  Street  Opera  House  in 
Philadelphia  in  the  Spring  of  1859. 

August  23.  1839,  he  married  the  widow  of  Matt.  Peel,  and  at  once  as- 
sumed the  management  of  Mrs.  Matt.  Peel's  Campbell's  Minstrels,  and  con- 
tinued in  that  capacity  for  about  four  or  five  years,  after  which  he  retired 
to  private  life. 

J.  T.  Huntley  was  born  in  New  York,  June  24,  1824;  he  died  in  Mama- 
roneck,  N.  Y.,  August  4,  1895. 

E.\RL  HoRTON  Pierce  was  one  of  the  greatest  minstrel  comedians  of  his 
day.  April  8,  1850,  he  opened  his  own  minstrel  company  in  New  York;  it 
was  subsequently  Pierce  and  Fellowe's  Minstrels.  Later,  Mr.  Pierce  was 
with  E.  P.  Christy's  Company  in  New  York,  and  Ordway's  Aeolians  in  Bos- 
ton. August  3,  1857,  with  J.  W.  Raynor,  they  opened  in  London,  England, 
as  "Christy's  Minstrels :"  this  was  the  first  company  to  play  under  that  title 
in  England.  Subsequently  all  minstrel  companies  were  called  "Christy's." 
Mr.  Pierce  made  a  tremendous  hit  singing  a  topical  song  called  "Hoop  de — 
Dooden — Do."  After  his  death  his  chair  on  the  end  remained  vacant  for 
three  days,  during  which  time  it  was  draped. 

Earl  H.  Pierce  was  born  in  New  York  in  1823 :  he  died  in  London,  Eng- 
land. June  5,  1859. 

ToM  ]\I.\GUiRE  never  got  the  credit  due  him  for  placing  minstrelsy  in  Cali- 
fornia on  the  high  plane  it  once  enjoyed.  Mr.  Maguire  went  to  San  Fran- 
cisco in  1849,  ^"d  a  year  later  built  the  Jenny  Lind  Theatre  there. 

It  was  Maguire  who  brought  George  Christy  and  Company  to  Cali- 
fornia in  1858,  and  it  was  Maguire  a  dozen  years  or  so  later  that  paved  the 
way  for  the  success  that  later  came  to  Billy  Emerson,  with  whom  Maguire 
was  associated  until  the  late  70's. 

And  when  Emerson  made  his  first  trip  to  Australia  about   1873,  Ma- 


44  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

guire's  Minstrels  flourished  on  in  San  Francisco.  Yes,  the  great  coast  me- 
tropolis owes  much  to  Tom  Maguire.  Mr.  Maguire  died  in  New  York, 
January  20,  1896;  aged  ^2  years. 

Dr.  John  P.  Ordway  was  one  of  the  earliest  prominent  managers  engaged 
in  permanent  minstrelsy  in  one  particular  city. 

He  was  the  founder  of  the  Aeolians,  a  famous  minstrel  organization  who 
gave  their  first  performance  in  Harmony  Hall,  Boston,  Mass.,  December  16, 
1849,  and  plaj'ed  in  that  city  until  September,  1859. 

December  12,  same  year,  he  appeared  with  Anderson's  Minstrels  for  a 
few  nights  only ;  this  was  his  last  professional  appearance. 

Dr.  Ordway  was  a  skilled  musician,  and  the  composer  of  many  popular 
ballads.  While  with  his  company  he  usually  played  the  piano  in  the  first 
part  and  invariably  in  white-face. 

After  retiring  from  the  stage,  he  practiced  medicine  for  several  years, 
and  in  1868  was  a  member  of  the  Massachusetts  Legislature. 

He  was  the  founder  of  the  Massachusetts  Anglers  (now  Fish  and  Game) 
Association. 

Dr.  John  P.  Ordway  was  born  in  Salem,  Mass.,  in  1824;  he  died  in 
Boston,  Mass.,  April  27,  1880. 

William  H.  Smith,  the  well-known  manager,  went  to  California  in  1850, 
and  in  1856  opened  the  Varieties  Theatre  in  San  Francisco.  In  i860  he  or- 
ganized the  California  Minstrels  and  took  them  to  South  America,  Aus- 
tralia and  Europe. 

In  1865  he  was  associated  in  the  management  of  Cotton  and  Murphy's 
Minstrels,  frequently  acting  as  interlocutor. 

In  1880  he  went  to  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  at  various  times  was  manager 
of  the  Comique,  Peoples  and  Standard  Theatres  there. 

On  September  24,  1866,  Mr.  Smith  married  Clara  Sages  in  San  Fran- 
cisco. 

William  H.  Smith  was  born  in  Norwich,  Conn.,  August  10,  1824;  he 
died  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  December  i,  t^ert-.    /  ^  ?/  ■ 

"Bije"  (Amidon  L.)  Thayer  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  minstrelsy;  his 
operations  were  confined  to  Boston  and  contiguous  territory  chiefly. 

Thayer's  Minstrels  and  Thayer  and  Newcomb's  Minstrels  existed  from 
the  middle  40's  to  the  early  50's. 

To  Mr.  Thayer  belongs  the  credit  of  being  the  first  to  establish  a 
permanent  mintsrel  company  in  Boston,  although  the  Buckleys  had  preceded 
him  in  giving  entertainments  there. 

"Bije"  Thayer  died  in  Boston,  Mass.,  February  20,  1864;  aged  41  years. 

Barney  Williams  (Bernard  O'Flaherty),  who  was  one  of  America's  great- 
est legitimate  Irish  comedians,  in  his  very  early  days  was  equally  prominent 
as  a  burnt-cork  performer. 

July  8,  1845,  at  the  Elysian  Fields  in  Hoboken,  N.  J.,  he  was  advertised 
as  "master  of  the  tambourine."  September  6,  same  year,  at  Castle  Garden, 
New  York,  he  portrayed  the  great  black-face  part  of  "Dandy  Jim,  of  Caro- 
line." 

Barney  Williams  was  born  in  Cork,  Ireland,  July  20,  1824;  he  died  in 
New  York  City,  April  25,  1876. 


TOM.    VAUGHN 


EDWIN    P.    CHRISTY 


GEO.    CHRISTY 


9^ 


i  itjf 


.,/ 


THE  ORIGINAL  CHRISTY  MINSTRELS  (Organized  about  1844). 

The  company  at  its  inception  comprised  Edwin  P.  Christy  (the  founder), 
Geo.  Christy,  Tom  Vauglin  and  Lansing  Durand.  The  other  photos  here  repre- 
sent minstrel  scenes  of  that  day. 


46  HON  ARCH  S  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Tom  Briggs  was  one  of  the  earliest  and  greatest  banjo  performers  in 
minstrelsy;  when  he  first  went  on  the  stage,  in  the  early  40's,  he  traveled 
under  the  name  of  Fluter. 

He  invented  the  banjo  thimble  in  1848,  and  it  came  into  general  use 
three  years  later. 

He  was  the  first  to  do  the  bell  chimes,  and  gave  imitations  of  a  horse- 
race on  the  banjo. 

He  played  successful  engagements  in  the  40's  and  50's  with  Wood's 
Minstrels,  likewise  Buckley's  Serenaders.  September  20,  1854,  he  left  New 
York  with  E.  P.  Christy's  Minstrels  to  play  an  engagement  in  San  Fran- 
cisco ;  he  contracted  aij  illness  on  the  way,  and  was  unable  to  play. 

.Tom  Briggs  died  in  San  Francisco  October  23,  1854;  aged  30  years. 

Julia  Gould  was  the  first  woman  to  achieve  prominence  in  minstrelsy;  she 
was  with  the  famous  Buckley  Serenaders,  and  played  several  engagements 
with  them  in  the  50's ;  she  was  also  with  Maguire's  San  Francisco  Minstrels 
in  San  Francisco,  July  11,  1864. 

She  essayed  the  principal  female  roles  in  the  great  operatic  burlesque 
that  made  the  Buckleys  famous ;  always  appearing  in  black-face. 

Miss  Gould's  first  husband  was  A.  T.  Gregory  Hall;  she  subsequently 
married  John  H.  Collins,  a  prominent  minstrel  singer. 

She  was  an  actress  and  singer  of  rare  and  versatile  talents. 

Julia  Gould  was  born  in  London,  England,  August  28,  1824 ;  she  died  in 
Kinamundy,  111.,  January  29,  1893. 

HoR.\CE  Weston,  a  colored  man,  was  one  of  the  world's  greatest  banjoists; 
in  addition  he  was  a  good  general  musician  and  dancer ;  a  fact  that  is  not 
generally  known. 

He  served  in  the  Army,  and  in  July,  1863,  was  discharged,  after  which 
he  joined  Buckley's  Serenaders  in  Boston,  and  later  traveled  with  them. 
About  1867  he  became  a  member  of  the  Georgia  Minstrels,  a  famous  colored 
organization. 

In  1878  he  went  to  Europe  with  an  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin"  Company ;  he 
played  the  principal  Continental  cities,  and  was  a  sensation. 

Returning  to  America  he  joined  Haverly's  Georgia  Minstrels.  The  bal- 
ance of  his  career  was  spent  mostly  in  the  variety  theatres. 

Horace  Weston  was  born  in  Derby,  Conn.,  in  1825  ;  he  died  in  New 
York,  May  23,  1890. 


The  honor  and  distinction  (and  the  pleasant  sensation)  of  having  re- 
ceived the  highest  salary  ever  paid  to  any  black-face  single  performer  belongs 
to  Lew  Dockstader. 


Tim  Woodruff  appeared  mostly  in  the  West,  where  he  was  recognized 
as  a  truly  great  comedian. 

His  first  appearance  was  made  in  Cincinnati,  March  15,  1842:  in  an  act 
called  "Spirit  Rappings,"  later  more  generally  known  as  the  "Haunted 
House ;"  he  achieved  great  success  in  this,  and  was  forever  identified  with  it. 

He  was  at  various  times  associated  with  Woodruff's  Minstrels ;  Wood- 


FROM  -DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  47 

rufif,  Brown  and  Jones'  Minstrels,  and  Woodruff  and  Foster's  Minstrels; 
these  companies  were  mostly  in  existence  in  the  50's. 

About  i860  he  entered  the  variety  business,  and  continued  with  it  prac- 
tically up  to  his  death. 

Tim  Woodruff  was  born  in  Hamilton,  Ohio ;  he  died  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio, 
November  12,  1872. 

E.  W.  Mackney  was  England's  earliest  representative  of  the  negro  character. 

He  appeared  in  sketches  with  J.  A.  Cave,  fully  ten  years  before  the  first 
minstrel  company  invaded  England  in  1843. 

He  was  prompted  by  the  pronounced  success  achieved  by  "Daddy"  Rice, 
of  Jim  Crow  fame. 

Mr.  Mackney  died  in  England,  March  26,  1909;  aged  84  years. 

William  B.  Fish  was  one  of  the  "Sable  Harmonists"  of  the  40's.  He  died 
in  Argenta,  Ark.,  July  29,  1875. 

John  G.  Brown  was  a  celebrated  tambourinist  and  comedian  in  the  earliest 
days  of  minstrelsy. 

He  was  with  the  Buckleys  when  they  played  New  York,  May  9,  1844; 
at  that  time  they  were  known  as  the  Congo  Melodists.  In  the  Fall  of  1848 
he  was  with  Thayer's  Minstrels,  one  of  the  famous  Boston  companies. 

He  died  in  New  Bedford,  Mass.,  October  8,  1858. 

Joseph  H.  Rainer  was  one  of  the  earliest  vocalists  and  interlocutors.  He 
was  with  Wood's  Minstrels  in  New  York  in  1852,  and  with  Horn  and  New- 
comb's  Company  in  1863.  He  first  appeared  professionally  in  the  late  40's. 
He  had  been  a  resident  of  Lockport,  N.  Y.,  for  many  years. 

Mr.  Rainer  was  born  in  Lancaster,  England,  May  11,  1825;  he  died  in 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  March  11,  1906. 

George  Winship  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  minstrelsy.  As  early  as  1849 
he  occupied  the  bone  end  with  the  New  York  Serenaders,  a  famous  minstrel 
company  of  that  day. 

He  was  long  associated  with  J.  W.  McAndrews,  the  famous  "Water- 
melon Man." 

About  1873  he  was  stage  manager  and  performer  at  the  Opera  House, 
Rondout,  N.  Y.,  he  had  not  appeared  professionally  much  since  then. 

Mr.  Winship  had  long  been  a  resident  of  Fruitvale,  Cal.,  where  he  died 
October  19,  1900. 

Harry  Hapgood  was,  up  to  the  time  of  his  death,  the  oldest  living  minstrel 
agent. 

In  his  youth  he  was  known  as  "Handsome  Harry." 

His  professional  career  began  as  an  actor  in  Philadelphia  in  1843.  He 
subsequently  became  a  manager  and  agent  for  various  companies,  and  in 
the  latter  capacity  was  with  Rumsey  and  Newcomb's  Minstrels  about  four 
years.  He  then  was  associated  with  Mr.  Rumsey  in  the  Rumsey  Minstrels 
in  1863. 


48  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Harry  Hapgood  was  born  in  Elizabethtown,  N.  Y.,  February  26,  1825 ; 
he  died  at  Amityville,  Long  Island,  N.  Y.,  July  10,  1910. 

Master  Juba  (William.  H.  Lane)  was  a  colored  man,  and  as  a  jig  dancer 
it  is  said  that  the  world  never  saw  his  equal. 

He  played  the  tambourine  with  the  Georgia  Champions  Minstrels  in  1843, 
and  several  engagements  with  Charley  White's  Minstrels  in  New  York. 

He  went  to  Europe  about  1848,  and  in  the  Spring  of  the  following  year 
played  an  engagement  with  Pell's  Serenaders  at  the  Surrey  Theatre  in  London. 
He  was  lionized  in  Europe,  and  took  the  Britishers  by  storm.  He  married  a  white 
woman  there. 

"Master"  Juba  died  in  London,  England,  about  1852;  he  was  born  in  the 
United  States  about  1825. 

Gilbert  W.  Pell  was  a  brother  of  Dick  Pelham,  one  of  the  original 
minstrels  of  1843. 

As  a  member  of  the  Ethiopian  Serenaders,  he  went  to  England  in  1846. 
The  success  of  the  company  was  so  great  in  London  that  morning  performances 
had  to  be  given,  and  in  addition  they  appeared  at  private  residences  of  the  rich. 
Mr.  Pell,  who  played  the  bone  end,  and  the  company,  whose  portraits  adorn  an- 
other page,  played  an  engagement  at  Palme's  Opera  House,  New  York,  Septem- 
ber 15,  1845. 

In  1849  he  was  in  England  with  his  brother's  company,  known  as  Pell's 
Serenaders.  Subsequently  he  returned  to  the  United  States,  but  early  in  1859 
he  again  went  to  Europe,  where  he  remained  until  his  death. 

Gilbert  W.  Pell  was  born  in  New  York  City;  he  died  in  Lancashire,  Eng- 
land, December  21,  1872,  aged  47  years. 

Jno.  H.  Carle,  famous  for  the  singing  of  "The  Lively  Old  Flea,"  accom- 
panied by  the  banjo,  was  one  of  the  early  prominent  proprietors  of  a  minstrel 
show.  In  the  50's  he  was  associated  with  J.  G.  H.  Shorey  and  Chas.  Duprez;  on 
July  4,  1856.  he  withdrew  from  the  partnership,  and  for  many  years  played  min- 
strel and  variety  engagements. 

About  1876  he  went  to  fill  a  two  weeks'  engagement  at  Flood's  New  Park 
Theatre,  Curtis  Bay,  Md.  He  remained  there  until  the  time  of  his  death,  nearly  a 
quarter  of  a  century,  and  he  had  the  distinction  at  that  time  of  being  the  oldest 
active  banjoist  and  vocalist  before  the  public,  retaining  his  vivacity  all  the  while. 

John  H.  Carle  was  born  at  Portland,  Me. ;  he  died  at  Curtis  Bay,  Md.,  Sep- 
tember 20,  1900;  age  75  years. 

"Pl'nch"  Collins  (W.  Pearson  Collins),  the  well-known  comedian  of  the 
early  minstrel  days,  first  appeared  prominently  with  Sam  Sanford's  Minstrels 
April  I,  1S50,  at  the  Astor  Place  Opera  House,  New  York  City,  and  was  at  the 
opening  of  the  first  theatre  ever  built  expressly  for  minstrelsy,  also  by  Sanford, 
August  I,  1853;  subsequently  he  was  with  Earl  Pierce's  Minstrels  in  New  York 
in  1855;  on  August  3,  1857,  he  opened  in  London,  England,  with  Raynor  and 
Pierce's  "Christy"  Minstrels.  This  was  the  first  minstrel  organization  that  ever 
played  in  England  under  the  title  of  "Christy." 

After  the  death  of  Earl  Pierce  Mr.  Collins  occupied  the  end  chair  formerly 
occupied  by  Pierce. 


EDWIN    BOOTH 


JAS.    A.    HERNE 


P.  S.  CII.MORE 


EDWIN  FORREST 


BARNEY  WILLIAMS  JOS.  JEFFERSON  \VM.  CASTLE  TONY  PASTOR 


DAN.   DALY  P.  T.  BARNUM  RICHARD  GOLDEN  HARRY  KERNELL 


DAN.  RICE 


J.  W.  KELLY  NEIL.  BURGESS 


J.   K.  EMMETT 


FAMOUS  ARTISTS  OF  THE  PAST— THEY  ALL  BLACKED  UP. 


50  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Mr.  Collins  later  withdrew  from  this  company,  and  with  "Tony"  Nish  or- 
ganized another  "Christy"  company,  opening  in  London,  England,  at  Her  Maj- 
esty's Concert  Hall  Monday,  March  i8,  1861  ;  subsequently  he  sold  his  interest 
in  this  company,  returned  to  London,  and  organized  another  troupe;  they  played 
at  Polygraphic  Hall  as  early  as  April  14,  1862. 

In  September,  1863,  he  sailed  for  India,  playing  the  principal  cities.  In 
July,  1866,  he  returned  to  America,  later  going  to  England,  where  he  married ; 
subsequently  he  returned  to  Pittsburgh,  where  he  remained  until  his  death.  He 
had  not  appeared  professionally  for  several  years  prior  to  that. 

Mr.  Collins  did  an  "end",  a  stump  speech  and  a  female  impersonation  equally 
artistic. 

W.  P.  Collins  died  at  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  November  i,  1881 ;  age  about  55  years. 

L.  V.  H.  Crosby  has  been  credited  as  being  the  first  interlocutor,  then  called 
"middle  man"  of  minsrelsy;  this  was  about  1845,  when  he  organized  the  Boston 
Harmoneons.  This  company  gave  a  special  performance  at  the  White  House  in 
Washington,  D.  C,  June  18,  1846,  for  President  Polk. 

Mr.  Crosby  was  composer  of  several  songs,  and  a  basso  of  unusual  ability. 
His  late  years  were  devoted  almost  exclusively  to  concert  work. 

L.  V.  H.  Crosby  died  at  Reynolds,  Ga.,  March  26,  1884;  age  about  60  years. 


J.\MES  Unsworth  and  Nelse  Seymour  were  born  and  died  within  thirty 
days  of  each  other. 


E.  J.  Melville  (Edward  John  Robbins),  a  well-known  singer  of  the  early 
days  of  minstrelsy,  came  to  the  United  States  in  1849;  shortly  afterwards  he 
sang  in  the  choir  of  a  church  in  Cleveland,  O.,  where  he  was  known  as  the  best 
tenor  in  that  city.  His  principal  engagements  were  with  Hooley's  Minstrels, 
Hooley  and  Campbell's  Minstrels  (being  with  them  at  their  inception.  May  6. 
i860),  Lloyd's  Minstrels,  Carncross  and  Dixey,  and  Duprez  and  Benedict.  He 
also  played  an  engagement  at  the  Canterbury  Music  Hall,  New  York  City,  in  Oc- 
tober, 1 86 1. 

Mr.  Melville  was  married  to  Miss  Amelia  Nash,  October  i,  1848.  by  whom 
he  had  three  daughters,  one  of  whom  became  the  wife  of  Edwin  French,  the 
banjoist. 

Mr.  Melville's  private  life  was  a  most  happy  one;  he  was  generous,  cheerful 
and  a  true  friend. 

E.  J.  Melville  was  born  in  London,  England,  February  4,  1825 ;  he  died  in 
Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  January  18,  1903. 

"Jim"  Johnson  (Gallagher),  an  old-time  banjoist,  well  known  in  his  day 
and  popular  on  the  steamer  "Banjo",  was  born  in  New  York  about  1825;  he  died 
in  New  Orleans,  La.,  November  22,  1875. 

Dick  Sliter  was  one  of  the  world's  greatest  jig  dancers.  His  professional 
career  commenced  in  the  late  30's,  and  he  had  been  with  many  of  the  early  fa- 
mous organizations,  notably  Sanford's  Minstrels  in  1859. 

He  also,  with  Johnny  Booker,  organized  Booker  and  Sliter's  Minstrels, 
which  was  quite  successful.    Dick  Sliter  died, in  Jackson,  Mich.,  May  21,  1861. 


FROM  -DADDY-  RICE  TO  DATE.  51 

Jasper  H.  Ross  was  famed  as  a  musical  director  and  composer.     His  profes- 
sional career  began  in  1847  with  Spalding  and  Rogers'  Circus.     Subsequently  he 
played    e.xtendcd    engagements     with     the     minstrel     companies    of    Carncross, 
Bryant's,  W.iite's,  Rumsey  and  Newcomb's  and  the  San  Franciscos. 

He  was  born  in  Northampton,  Mass.,  in  1826;  he  died  in  New  York,  Sep- 
tember 8,  1889. 

Jimmy  Wells,  once  well-known  as  a  manager,  was  a  member  of  Ordway's 
Aeolians  in  Boston  for  a  lengthy  period  in  the  early  50's. 

He  was  born  in  New  York  in  1826;  he  died  in  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.,  March 
16,  1893. 

Sam  Wells  was  prominent  as  a  bass  vocalist  and  interlocutor.  He  went 
to  Europe  in  the  middle  40's  with  the  Ethiopian  Serenaders,  and  they  created  a 
sensation. 

He  was  with  several  prominent  minstrel  companies  located  in  New  York  up 
to  1855,  when  he  sailed  for  California,  where  he  was  located  with  George  Christy's 
and  other  minstrel  companies  until  December,  1863,  when  he  went  to  New  York, 
and  after  playing  one  week  with  Bryant's  Minstrels,  returned  to  California. 

I\Ir.  Wells'  death  was  caused  by  being  thrown  from  a  horse  in  California, 
August  27,  1864;  he  was  38  years  of  age. 

Charley  Howard  has  been  given  credit  of  being  the  first  to  represent  the 
aged  darkey  on  the  stage.  At  the  age  of  ten  years  he  traveled  with  Joe  Sweeney's 
company,  giving  concerts  in  the  Southern  States,  appearing  in  barns  and 
churches,  and  traveling  by  coaches. 

Mr.  Howard  was  with  many  prominent  minstrel  organizations,  and  when 
Haverly  separated  from  Cal.  Wagner  in  1873,  Howard  was  one  of  the  first  en- 
gaged for  the  Haverly  Minstrels. 

Chai-lev  Howard  was  born  in  \'irginia,  June  5,  1826;  he  died  in  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y.,  April  28,  1895. 

Stephen  Collins  Foster,  whose  simple  and  homI^ly  ballads  contributed  as 
much  as  any  other  cause  to  the  placing  of  early  minstrel.sy  on  a  permanent  and 
successful  basis,  was  the  author,  among  others,  of  "Willie,  We  Have  Missed 
You",  "Old  Uncle  Ned",  "My  Old  Kentucky  Home",  "Old  Dog  Tray",  "Massa's 
in  de  Cold,  Cold  Ground",  "Ellen  Bayne"  and  "Old  Black  Joe." 

He  was  born  in  Allegheny,  Pa.,  July  4,  1826;  he  died  in  New  York  City,  Jan- 
uary 13,  1864. 

James  Powers  was  one  of  the  real  early  minstrels,  and  a  member  of  the 
Boston  Harmoneons,  which  were  especially  well  known  in  Massachusetts.  With 
his  brother  John,  he  was  with  the  above  organization  several  seasons,  com- 
mencing in  the  early  40's. 

Mr.  Powers  was  the  author  of  "She  Sleeps  in  the  Grave"  and  "Faded 
Flowers",  favofite  ballads  of  days  now  forgotten. 

James  Powers  died  in  Boston,  Mass.,  January  5,  1890;  age  64  years. 

Dan  Leon,  a  real  old-time  black-face  comedian  and  general  performer, 
died  in  New  York  City,  April  27,  1863 ;  he  was  born  March  i,  1826. 


52 


UONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 


W.  Jackson  Rudolph,  one  of  the  pioneers  of  minstrelsy,  made  his  first 
appearance  in  his  native  city  early  in  1846  in  black-face  as  a  banjoist;  the  follow- 
ing year  he  was  one  of  the  Sable  Harmonists;  in  1849  he  was  with  the  Virginia 
Minstrels,  and  up  until  1855,  when  he  joined  Sanford's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia, 
he  was  almost  continuously  associated  with  one  or  the  other  of  the  many 
minstrel  bands  that  were  then  in  evidence. 

He  later  went  on  the  legitimate  stage,  but  subsequently,  in  1864,  joined 
Carncross  and  Dixey's  jMinstrels  in  Philadelphia. 

About  1870  he  played  his  last  minstrel  engagement  with  Simmons  and  Slocum, 
also  in  the  Quaker  City.  November  3,  1880,  he  made  his  last  appearance  on  the 
stage  of  Wood's  Museum  in  Philadelphia. 

W.  Jackson  Rudolph  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  1826;  he  died  there  Septem- 
ber 5,  1881. 

John  A.  Dingess.  After  the  dissolution  of  the  Duprez  and  Green's  Minstrels 
as  an  organization  in  1865,  Mr.  Dingess  formed  a  partnership  with  Jno.  E.  Green 
and  organized  Dingess  and  Green's  Minstrels,  opening  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn., 
November  18,  1866;  their  existence  was  short  lived.  He  was  subsequently,  and 
for  many  years,  engaged  in  an  executive  capacity  in  the  circus  business. 

John  A.  Dingess  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  in  1826;  he  died  in  New- 
York  City,  April  14,  1901. 

Luke  West  (William  Sheppard)  was  the  first  performer  to  do  a  whistling 
solo  in  minstrelsy,  which  he  did  as  early  as  1845  at  Otto  Cottage,  Hoboken,  N.  J. 

In  the  Fall  of  1848  he  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  the  Campbell's  Minstrels  ; 
November  29,  1849,  he  joined  the  E.  P.  Christy's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  resum- 
his  own  name  of  Sheppard.  On  August  15,  1850,  in  conjunction  with  Matt. 
Peel,  Joseph  D.  Murphy  and  James  Norris,  "Campbell's  Minstrels"  gave  their 
first  performance.  Subsequently  the  organization  was  known  as  Murphy,  West 
and  Peel's  Minstrels,  and  as  such  continued  until  his  death.  In  addition  to  his 
whistling  ability,  Mr.  West  was  an  accomplished  comedian,  dancer  and  banjoist. 

Luke  West  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  1826;  he  died  in  Boston,  Mass.,  May 
26,  1854. 

Charles  G.  Long,  who  was  for  nearly  forty  years  associated  in  the  manage- 
ment of  the  Academy  of  Music,  in  Selma,  Ala.,  with  George  T.  Rees,  the  present 
incumbent,  was  one  of  the  pioneers  of  minstrelsy. 

About  1844  or  1845  he  became  a  member  of  the  Virginia  Serenaders,  a  full 
page  photograph  of  which  is  shown  elsewhere.  The  company  traveled  by  wagon 
through  Pennsylvania  and  New  York  chiefly. 

It  has  been  stated  that  Mr.  Long  joined  this  company  when  he  was  ten  years 
of  age ;  this  is  clearly  erroneous,  as  the  little  band  was  not  organized  until  1843, 
probably  in  the  late  Spring  or  early  Summer. 

Mr.  Long  played  a  banjo,  one  of  his  own  making. 

Charles  G.  Long  was  born  in  Carlisle,  England,  December  20,  1827;  he  died 
in  Selma,  Ala.,  January  28,  1908. 

Fred  Burgess  was  for  many  years  co-proprietor  with  "Pony"  More  at  St. 
James  Hall,  London,  England,  of  Moore  and  Burgess'  Minstrels. 

Jilr.  Burgess  was  a  shrewd  business  man,  and  possessed  intellect  out  of  the 


CLARENCE  BURTON 


HY.   RUMSEY 


BILLY    HUNTLEY 


EDWIN  FREN'CH 


OSCAR   WILLIS 

BRIGHT  LIGHTS  OF  THE  BANJO. 


EDMOND   G.    CORBIN 


54  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

ordinary.  At  one  time  he  was  a  member-  of  Kunkel's  Nigiitingales,  an  early 
minstrel  company  in  the  United  States, 

In  the  fall  of  1864,  at  Glasgow,  Scotland,  he  was  engaged  as  agent  for 
Moore,  Crocker,  Hamilton  and  Ritter's  Minstrels ;  about  a  year  later  he  secured 
St.  James  Hall,  in  the  British  metropolis,  and  a  few  years  later,  "Pony"  Moore 
having  bought  out  Hamilton  and  Ritter,  and  the  death  of  Crocker  paved  the 
way  for  a  partnership ;  the  organization  subsequently  and  for  many  years  was 
known  as  Moore  and  Burgess'  Minstrels. 

Mr.  Burgess  was  twice  married ;  his  second  wife  was  Miss  Ellen  Meyrick. 

Fred  Burgess  was  born  in  Providence,  R.  I. ;  he  died  at  Finchley,  England, 
July  26,  1893 ;  age  66  years. 

Cn.vRLES  Callender,  proprietor  and  manager  of  the  famous  colored  organ- 
ization that  bore  his  name,  played  many  seasons  on  the  road,  commencing  about 
1872 ;  several  years  later  Haverly  purchased  his  interests ;  the  company  subse- 
quently became  the  property  of  Charles  and  Gustave  Frohman. 

Mr.  Callender  had  retired  from  active  theatricals  some  years  before  his  death. 

Charles  Callender  died  at  Chicago,  111.,  February  24,  1897;  age  70  years. 

Frank  Moran  came  to  the  United  States  at  the  age  of  four  years;  it  was 
not  until  later  that  he  did  a  stump  speech. 

His  first  appearance  professionally  was  about  1848,  as  a  comic  singer  in 
Philadelphia  with  Raymond  and  Waring's  Circus.  He  was  with  several  small 
minstrel  shows  before  going  to  California  in  1850,  and  subsequently  to  Australia. 

Some  time  after  his  return  from  the  Antipodes,  he  joined  Sanford's  Minstrels 
in  Philadelphia,  and  later  was  with  Carncross  and  Dixey  at  different  periods, 
aggregating  a  number  of  years. 

September  5,  1864,  he  opened  Moran's  Minstrels  on  Chestnut  Street,  Phila- 
delphia. Later  he  was  with  Bryant's,  and  Kelly  and  Leon's  Minstrels  in  New 
York;  Hooley's  in  Brooklyn,  and  Moore  and  Burgess'  in  London. 

As  Moran  and  Dixey's  Minstrels,  the  famous  Eleventh  Street  Opera  House 
in  Philadelphia  opened  October  2,  1871 ;  in  September,  the  following  year,  the 
company  was  known  as  Moran's  Minstrels. 

Subsequently  Moran  and  Billy  Alanning's  Minstrels  made  a  brief  tour.  Of 
later  years  Mr.  Moran  was  asociated  with  Ned  Thomas  in  a  minstrel  company, 
and  on  July  17,  1890,  he  began  an  engagement  with  Wm.  Henry  Rice's  World's 
Fair  Minstrels. 

Frank  Moran  was  a  natural  born  comedian,  and  at  times  was  rather  caustic 
in  his  wit ;  but  underneath  a  seeming  rough  exterior  was  a  heart  that  was  never 
loiown  to  fail  a  fellow  performer  in  distress. 

As  a  stump  orator  he  was  different  from  all  others,  and  he  did  this  act 
almost  up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

Mr.  Moran  was  twice  married ;  his  first  wife  died  a  few  years  prior  to  his 
marriage  to  Miss  Jessie  Millar,  February  i,  1898. 

Frank  Moran  was  born  in  Ireland,  September  15,  1827;  he  died  in  Phila- 
delphia, December  14,  1898, 

"Nick"  Bowers  (Edward  Bowers),  one  of  the  ablest  and  most  efficient  mid- 
dle men  and  stage  directors  of  minstrelsy,  made  his  first  appearance  at  Charley 
White's   in   New   York,   in   the  early   so's;   subsequent   engagements   wei^e   with 


FROM  "DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  55 

Ordway's  Aeolians,  Morris  Bros.,  Pell  and  Trowbridge  and  Wood  and  Christy's 
Minstrels. 

In  1858,  in  conjunction  with  Billy  Birch  and  Charley  Fox,  they  presented 
Birch,  Bowers  and  Fox's  Minstrels,  and  in  1864,  with  Tom  Frendergast,  launched 
a  company  that  had  a  brief  existence.  For  some  time  he  played  star  engage- 
ments with  John  Mulligan. 

His  last  appearance  was  in  New  York  City,  February  11,  1865. 

Nick  Bowers  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  February  27,  1865 ;  age  38  years. 

Paul  Berger  was  one  of  the  greatest  bass  singers  in  minstrelsy,  and  at  the 
requests  of  Presidents  Tyler  and  Van  Buren,  he  sang  before  those  chief 
executives. 

He  was  with  Matt.  Peel's  Minstrels  in  1858;  with  Sanford's  Minstrels  in 
Philadelphia,  and  later  with  Carncross  and  Dixey's  Co.  in  the  same  city.  Mr. 
Berger  was  business  manager  for  Fox's  Theatre  in  Philadelphia,  in  1876. 

Paul  Berger  died  in  Philadelphia,  October  8,  1894;  age  67  years. 

John  Mulligan  was  an  altitudinous  comedian,  and  in  the  old  nigger  acts 
with  performers  of  immature  stature,  in  the  ludicrous  make-up  he  invariably 
affected,  he  was  screamingly  funny.  His  first  professional  appearance  was  with 
Raymond  and  Waring's  Circus ;  his  first  minstrel  engagement  was  with  the 
Perham  Company  more  than  fifty  years  ago.  Mr.  Mulligan  appeared  for  sev- 
eral seasons  in  the  various  variety  houses  controlled  by  George  Lea. 

In  June,  1866,  he  commenced  an  engagement  at  Hooley's  Minstrels  in 
Brooklyn,  remaining  fifteen  months;  subsequently  he  was  with  the  San  Fran- 
ciscos  in  New  York. 

January  2,  1871,  when  Hooley  invaded  Chicago,  Mr.  Mulligan  was  with  his 
company. 

Mr.  Mulligan  was  most  happily  married,  and  his  domestic  life  was  an 
ideal  one. 

John  Mulligan  was  born  in  New  York  City,  1827,  where  he  died  July  28,  18/3. 

Charles  Christie,  who  had  various  companies  bearing  his  name,  notably 
one  in  England  about  1866,  died  in  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  February  12,  1897;  age 
69  years. 

Fred  Wilson.  The  distinction  of  being  the  oldest  living  minstrel  undoubt- 
edly belongs  to  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  made  his  first  appearance  about 
1843,  and  for  four  or  five  years  allied  himself  with  many  of  the  various  minstrel 
companies  that  sprang  up  after  the  success  of  the  parent  organization. 

In  1848  he  joined  "Bije"  Thayer's  Minstrels,  a  prominent  Boston  Company. 

While  Mr.  Wilson  was  not  the  first  to  do  clog  dancing  in  this  country,  he 
was  undoubtedly  the  first  to  do  so  in  a  minstrel  company. 

In  the  Fall  of  1858  he  joined  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  and  about 
December  i,  that  year,  made  his  first  appearance  in  Boston  with  the  Morris 
Bros.,  Pell  and  Trowbridge's  Minstrels,  where  he  made  a  lengthy  stay. 

•April  29,  1861.  he  opened  with  Lloyd's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  closing  May 
25,  following.  Later  he  went  to  China  in  a  government  capacity,  but  not  liking 
the  cooking  in  the  Celestial  Empire,  returned  to  the  United  States,  arriving 
January  25,  1864. 


56  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

(Charley)  Morris  and  Wilson's  Minstrels  opened  at  their  permanent  home 
in  St.  Louis,  April  lO,  1865;  the  partnership  was  dissolved  in  February,  1867. 

Fred  Wilson's  Minstrels  toured  for  two  or  three  years,  and  then  Mr.  Wilson 
made  another  foreign  trip;  but  returned  in  the  Summer  of  1871. 

In  1872  he  was  with  Cal.  Wagner's  Minstrels,  and  in  1875  made  another 
foreign  invasion,  remaining  abroad  five  years,  returning  in  1880  and  joining 
Haverly's  Minstrels.  Subsequently  Mr.  Wilson, 'whose  specialty  for  many  years 
had  been  clog  dancing,  except  in  1852  when  he  was  a  clown  in  a  circus,  took  up 
executive  duties  with  many  minstrel  and  other  organizations.  He  also  promoted 
several  attractions  of  his  own. 

Fred  Wilson  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  November  9,  1827. 

Sam  Hague,  the  famous  English  minstrel  manager,  began  his  career  as  a 
clog  dancer. 

He  visited  the  United  States  in  1850  with  his  brothers  Thomas  and  William; 
later  he  was  a  partner  of  Dick  Sands,  also  Tim  Hayes. 

He  toured  the  United  States  for  several  seasons  with  Hague's  Concert  Com- 
pany, and  in  1865,  with  Cal.  Wagner,  formed  Wagner  and  Hague's  Minstrels. 

He  also  organized  Hague's  Georgia  Minstrels,  a  company  of  negro  perform- 
ers, and  gave  the  first  performance  at  Macon,  Ga. 

Later  they  sailed  for  England,  and  opened  at  Liverpool,  July  9,  1866,  and 
scored  a  failure.  Subsequently  Mr.  Hague  engaged  white  performers  for  the 
principal  parts,  and  retaining  some  of  the  colored  men,  gave  a  performance  that 
achieved  success. 

He  organized  a  permanent  minstrel  company  in  Liverpool,  and  opened  there 
inr  St.  James  Hall,  October  31,  1870,  and  remained  eighteen  years,  after  which 
they  made  brief  tours,  up  to  the  time  of  Mr.  Hague's  death. 

He  visited  the  United  States  with  Hague's  British  Operatic  ^linstrels,  opening 
in  Philadelphia,  September  12,  1881. 

Sam  Hague  was  born  in  Sheffield,  England,  in  1828 ;  he  died  in  Liverpool, 
England,  January  7,   190 1. 

George  L.  Hall  has  the  distinction  of  being  the  oldest  living  minstrel  bal- 
ladist.  His  first  appearance  was  at  Georgetown,  D.  C,  October  14,  1848,  with 
the  Beck  Family. 

Mr.  Hall  has  long  since  retired  from  active  theatricals,  but  during  his  long 
career  as  a  vocalist  he  was  associated  with  some  of  the  most  famous  organiza^ 
tions  in  minstrelsy. 

Among  the  most  prominent  ones  that  may  be  mentioned  are:  Sanderson's, 
in  Baltimore;  Sanford's,  in  Philadelphia;  George  Christy's,  and  Bryant's,  in  New 
York :  Skifif  and  Gaylord's,  Johnny  Booker's,  Sam  Price's  and  Boyce  and 
Mudge's. 

Wm.  D.  Hall,  the  well-known  minstrel  and  author,  in  Philadelphia,  is  a  son 
of  Mr.  Hall. 

Geo.  L.  Hall  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  May  5,  1828. 

Charley  Fox  was  one  of  the  most  popular  comedians  and  banjoists  of  his 
tlay. 

His  first  appearance  was  in  1848.    About  1854  he  came  to  New  York,  and 


BILLY    WELCH  JOHNNY  RICE 

(WELCH  &  RICE.) 


EDDIE  GIRARD  WILLIE   GIRARD 

(GIRARD  BROS.) 


J.  MELVILLE  JANSEN  GUS.  BRUNO 

(KNOWN  AS  JOHNSON  &  BRUNO.) 


58  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

for  many  years  was  identified  with  the  best  permanent  organizations.  He  was 
of  the  original  company  of  Bryant's  Minstrels.  New  York,  February  23,  1857. 

He  was  with  Lloyd's  Minstrels  in  1861,  and  several  seasons  with  Wood's 
Minstrels;  all  in  the  metropolis.    His  last  appearance  was  December  22,  1864. 

Charley  Fox  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  November  15,  1828;  he  died  in 
New  York  City  December  26,  1864. 

George  H.  Coes  was  a  splendid  "straight  man",  possessed  a  fine  voice,  and 
was  an  excellent  banjoist. 

He  went  to  California  about  1852  from  the  east,  and  identified  himself 
with  several  minstrel  companies  there.  He  remained  a  few  years,  and  then  re- 
turned to  New  York,  where  he  opened  with  Wood  and  Christy's  Minstrels,  Oc- 
tober 15,  1857.  In  the  Spring  of  the  following  year  he  again  went  to  California, 
where  he  appeared  with  George  Christy's  Minstrels.  In  1859,  with  Sam  Wells, 
he  organized  Coes  and  Wells'  Minstrels  in  California. 

A  few  years  later  he  again  came  East,  subsequently  joining  the  Morris 
Brothers'  Minstrels  in  Boston.  He  left  them  February  13,  1866,  and  on  the  fol- 
lowing March  5,  he  was  at  the  opening  of  Seaver's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y., 
in  the  theatre  that  is  now  known  as  the  Novelty.  A  year  later,  with  S.  S.  Purdy 
and  Frank  Converse,  Purdy,  Coes  and  Converse's  Minstrels  were  organized. 

Mr.  Coes  played  stock  engagements  at  Pastor's,  Bob  Butler's  and  John 
Hart's  theatres  in  New  York  City  for  many  years.  He  formed  a  partnership 
with  Luke  Schoolcraft  in  1874,  which  terminated  in  1889. 

George  H.  Coes  was  born  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  about  1828;  he  died  in  Cam- 
bridge, Mass.,  March  16,  1897. 


Arthur  Moreland,  Bobby  Newcomb  and  Luke  Schoolcraft  were  born  on 
three  successive  days,  respectively,  in  1847. 

Jerry  Brv.\nt  (O'Brien)  was  the  oldest  of  the  famous  Bryant  Brothers;  he 
was  an  excellent  comedian,  and  was  especially  good  on  the  "bone  end"  of  the 
minstrel  first  part. 

He  made  his  initial  appearance  as  a  ballad  singer  in  1842.  Billy  Whitlock, 
the  "father  of  minstrelsy,"  first  brought  him  before  the  public. 

In  1844  he  became  a  member  of  the  Ethiopian  Serenaders,  subsequently  ap- 
pearing with  the  Operatic  Brothers  and  Sisters.  In  June,  1847,  he  formed  one 
of  the  original  Campbell's  Minstrels,  organized  in  New  York  City. 

The  following  year  he  played  in  London,  England,  with  Major  Dumbleton's 
Ethiopian  Serenaders.  In  1849  he  returned  to  America  and  made  a  tour  of  the 
country,  and  on  April  8,  1850,  he  opened  with  Earl  Pierce's  Minstrels  at  No.  442 
Broadway,  New  York  City ;  subsequently  he  went  to  Boston,  where  he  met  with 
much  success  with  Ordway's  Aeolians. 

When  George  Christy  seceded  from  the  E.  P.  Christy  Minstrels,  in  New 
York,  October  1854,  Jerry  Bryant  took  his  (Christy's)  place,  and  remained  with 
the  company  until  it  disbanded,  on  July  15,  1854;  in  September,  the  same  year, 
he  went  with  E.  P.  Christy's  Minstrels  to  California,  and  continued  until  the  final 
dissolution  of  that  company  took  place,  a  short  time  after  their  arrival.  In  San 
Francisco  he  next  managed  the  San  Francisco  Minstrels,  in  conjunction  with 
Eph.  Horn  and  Sher.  Campbell.  In  1855  they  went  to  Australia,  subse- 
quently returning  to  the  United  States,  and  on  Monday,  February  23,   1857,  in 


FROM  "DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  59 

conjunction  with  his  brothers,  Dan  and  Neil,  and  about  ten  others,  the  first  per- 
formance of  Bryant's  Minstrels  was  given  in  New  York  City,  at  Mechanics'  Hall, 
No.  472  Broadway. 

Mr.  Bryant  was  married  in  the  Spring  of  1859:  his  widow  subsequently  be- 
'  came  the  wife  of  Thomas  Donaldson,  proprietor  of  the  London  Theatre,  New 
York. 

Of  Jerry  Bryant  it  may  be  truthfully  said  that  he  was  one  of  the  most  ca- 
pable and  popular  performers  that  ever  blacked  up. 

His  last  ap]iearance  was  with  his  own  company,  April  2,  1861. 

Jerry  Bryant  was  born  in  Chesterfield,  X.  V.,  June  11,  1828;  he  died  in  New 
York  City  April  8,  1861. 

Mickey  W.\rren  was  one  of  the  most  famous  of  the  early  jig  dancers.  He 
appeared  with  Charley  W'liite's  Minstrels  in  New  York  City  in  1849,  and  was  for 
a  long  time  with  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  the  same  city. 

He  died  in  New  York  City  May  14,  1875 ;  age  47  years. 

Hy.  Rumsey  was  one  of  the  greatest  banjoists  of  his  day.  In  the  middle 
50's  he  joined  Campbell's  Minstrels,  and  continued  with  them  until  1857,  when, 
with  W.  W.  Newcomb,  he  organized  a  company  bearing  their  names,  which 
traveled  in  the  United  States  and  Europe  until  1862. 

Mr.  Rumsey  subsequently  organized  Rumsey's  Minstrels,  and  traveled  with 
it  for  several  seasons. 

He  was  one  of  the  earliest  performers  to  give  imitations  of  the  bell  chimes  on 
the  banjo,  and  unlike  most  of  his  contemporaries,  Mr.  Rumsey  invariably  played 
while  in  a  standing  position. 

Hy.  Rumsey  was  born  July  12,  1828;  he  died  in  Newburgh,  N.  Y.,  Sep- 
tember 9,  1 87 1. 

Thomas  L.  Moxley  was  known  as  "Master  Floyd"  in  his  earlier  career, 
which  began  with  Kunkel's  Nightingales  in  the  50's ;  he  remained  with  them  sev- 
eral seasons,  chiefly  as  a  female  impersonator.  He  was  the  last  survivor  of  that 
famous  company. 

He  was  born  in  Baltimore,  ]\Id.,  and  died  there  July  7,  1890;  age  62  years. 

J.\MES  C.\RROLL  was  a  capable  and  efficient  "middle  man"  and  vocalist  of 
,    Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York  City  at  the  time  of  his  death  there,  April  11, 
1861  ;  age  32  years. 

G.  W.  H.  Griffin  was  one  of  the  prominent  men  of  minstrelsy;  he  excelled 
as  an  interlocutor,  had  a  fine  voice,  vi'as  an  actor  of  merit  and  was  intellectual  to 
a  degree. 

His  first  appearance  was  in  1850  with  the  Boston  Harmonists  in  Palmyra, 
N.  Y.  In  1853  he  joined  Wood's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  and  continued  with 
them  when  the  organization,  a  few  months  later,  was  known  as  Wood  and 
Christy's  Minstrels.  With  the  latter  company  he  remained  until  May,  1854,  when 
he  went  to  California  with  George  Christy's  Minstrels.  A  year  later  he  returned 
East,  and  on  February  6,  i860,  in  conjunction  with  Sher.  Campbell  and  R.  M. 
Hooley,  he  organized  Hooley  and  Campbell's  Minstrels.  This  company  continued 
until  July  13,  1861. 


6o  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

October  28,  following,  Mr.  Griffin  and  Air.  Hooley  organized  the  famous 
Hooley  Minstrels,  giving  the  first  performance  in  New  York  on  that  date. 

Mr.  Griffin  severed  connection  with  this  company  in  August,  1862. 

Season  of  1862-63  he  was  with  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  and  the 
following  one  with  Hooley  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  continued  with  him  until  1866. 

Early  in  1867  Mr.  Griffin  and  George  Christy's  Minstrels  were  established 
in  New  York,  where  their  final  appearance  was  made  September  23,  same  year. 

Later  Mr.  Griffin  was  identified  with  the  following  well-known  minstrel  or- 
ganizations :  Kelly  and  Leon's ;  Hooley,  in  Chicago,  and  Unsworth's. 

His  last  minstrel  appearance  was  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  January  8,  1875,  with 
a  venture  of  his  own. 

Subsequently  he  appeared  in  the  variety  theatres.  His  last  engagement  was 
with  Harrigan  and  Hart  Company,  in  Boston,  Mass.,  June  7,  1879. 

G.  W.  H.  Griffin  was  born  in  Gloucester,  Mass.,  March  21,  1829;  he  died  in 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  July  11,  1879. 

Joseph  Jefferson. — This  famous  American  comedian,  whose  long  associa- 
tion in  the  character  of  Rip  Van  Winkle  endeared  him  to  the  hearts  of  thousands, 
at  the  age  of  four  years,  in  Washington,  D.  C,  was  brought  on  the  stage  by  the 
immortal  "Daddy"  Rice,  and  danced  Jim  Crow  before  an  admiring  audience. 

Joseph  Jefferson  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  February  20,  1829;  he  died  at  Palm 
Beach,  Fla.,  May  23,  1905. 

Billy  Coleman,  a  good  general  black-face  performer  and  banjoist.  a  fa- 
vorite of  Charley  White's  Melodeon  in  New  York  City  in  the  50's,  at  one  time 
associated  with  George  W.  Charles,  the  wench  dancer,  died  in  New  York  City 
June  4,  1867;  age  38  years.  He  had  retired  from  the  profession  about  five  years 
prior  to  this. 

Sher.  Campbell  (Sherwood  Coan)  was  conceded  to  be  the  greatest  bari- 
tone singer  that  minstrelsy  ever  knew,  although  in  his  earlier  days  he  had  a  fine 
alto  voice.  His  first  appearance  was  with  Campbell's  Minstrels  in  1849,  in  New 
York  City,  where  he  remained  several  years,  subsecjuently  joining  Murphy,  West 
and  Peel's  Minstrels,  with  whom  he  continued  a  few  seasons;  later  he  was  with 
E.  P.  Christy's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  and  went  to  California  with  them  in  1854, 
afterwards  joining  Backus'  Minstrels  there,  going  to  Australia  with  that  com- 
pany. 

Returning  to  San 'Francisco  in  1856,  he  remained  there  with  different  com- 
panies until  1858,  when  he  joined  George  Christy's  Minstrels,  returning  to  New 
"Vork  in  May,  1859.  The  following  year,  with  G.  W.  H.  Griffin  and  R.  M. 
Hooley,  they  organized  Hooley  and  Campbell's  Minstrels. 

August  5,  1861,  he  opened  with  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York;  he  re- 
mained two  years ;  this  was  his  last  minstrel  engagement.  Later  the  Castle- 
Campbell  Opera  Company  was  organized,  and  Mr.  Campbell's  success  in  that 
form  of  entertainment  was  in  every  respect  equal  to  his  minstrel  triumphs. 

Sher.  Campbell  was  born  in  New  Haven,  Conn.,  May  16,  1829;  he  died  in 
Chicago,  November  26,  1874. 

George  W.  Bailey,  one  of  the  early  minstrel  performers,  who  was  with 
Sharpley's  and  other  first-class  organizations,  and  who  was  a  clever  "straight" 
man  and  interlocutor,  died  at  Milford,  Mass.,  July  2,  1891  ;  age  62  years. 


THE  iiTH  ST.  OPERA  HOUSE,  PHILADELPHIA. 
Now  and  for  nearly  sixty  years  a  home  of  permanent  minstrelsy. 


MECHANICS  HALL;  1S57. 
472  Broadway,  New  York  City;  for  many  years  the  home  of  Bryant's  Minstrels. 

Only  a  memory  now. 
TWO  FAMOUS  MINSTREL  EDIFICES ;  PAST  AND  PRESENT. 


62  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

P.  S.  GiLMORE,  who  organized  and  led  for  many  years  the  famous  band 
bearing  his  name,  was  a  member  of  Ordway's  Aeolians  in  Boston,  1851,  where 
he  sat  on  the  end  and  played  the  tambourine.  June  24,  1851,  he  began  an  engage- 
ment in  Hartford,  Con.,  with  the  above  company. 

P.  S.  Gilmore  was  born  near  Dublin,  Ireland,  December  25,  1829;  he  died  at 
St.  Louis,  Mo.,  September  24,  1892. 

"Dad"  Sarrissey  (William  H.  Blackledge),  an  old-time  banjoist  and  co- 
median, played  several  engagements  at  Charley  White's  in  New  York,  also  Bry- 
ant's Minstrels  in  the  same  city.    His  last  appearance  was  about  1869. 

He  was  born  in  New  York  City  in  1829;  he  died  there  December  15,  1885. 

Ben  Mallory  was  especially  well  known  as  a  dancer.  He  was  with  E. 
P.  Christy's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  and  in  the  same  city  was  one  of  the  original 
members  of  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  1857. 

He  was  bom  in  New  York  in  1829;  he  died  in  Savannah,  Ga.,  November  2, 
18=9. 

Ben  Cotton.  One  of  the  truly  great  names  in  minstrelsy  was  Ben  Cotton — 
not  so  great  in  1845,  when  running  away  from  home,  yet  early  in  his  teens,  he 
joined  the  Amburgh  Circus,  as  in  1906  he  made  his  final  appearance  at  Tony 
Pastor's,  New  York  City,  doing,  not  the  aged  darky  act,  by  which  character  he 
was  most  familiarly  known,  but  the  dandy  of  the  present;  the  beard  he  had  been 
wont  to  wear  for  many  years  was  shorn  for  this  occasion.  It  was  no  longer  "old 
Ben  Cotton,"  but  "young  Ben  Cotton"  that  the  audience  received  and  applauded. 
Only  the  initiated  could  have  known  that  the  "darkey"  before  them  was  76  years 
of  age,  and  it  is  the  writer's  proud  boast  that  he  was  at  Pastor's  to  give  Ben  Cot- 
ton a  "hand"  on  his  entrance,  and  remaining  until  the  evening  performance, 
again  led  with  the  veteran's  reception ;  and  Ben  Cotton  "made  good." 

When  Julian's  Serenaders  opened  the  famous  Eleventh  Street  Opera  House 
(then  known  as  Cartee's  Lyceum),  in  Philadelphia,  December  4,  1854,  he  was  a 
member  of  the  company.  His'  next  prominent  engagement  was  with  Matt  Peel's 
Minstrels.  Here  he  made  a  big  success  as  "Old  Bob  Ridley",  a  character  por- 
traying the  aged  negro,  which  he  did  with  remarkable  fidelity.  Afterwards  he 
was  on  the  steamer  "Banjo",  which  plied  the  Mississippi  River,  giving  entertain- 
ments on  board,  stopping  at  the  various  towns  on  its  course.  This  engagement 
gave  him  an  opportunity  to  study  the  negro  at  close  range,  which  he  was  quick  to 
take  advantage  of,  and  it  served  him  in  good  stead  during  his  entire  career. 

Returning  to  New  York,  Birch  and  Cotton's  Minstrels  played  a  successful 
engagement  at  No.  444  Broadway;  and  in  1862  they  went  to  San  Francisco,  this 
being  Cotton's  first  appearance  there.  He  remained  under  Tom  Maguire's  man- 
agement for  three  years. 

With  Joe  Murphy,  Cotton  and  Murphy's  Minstrels  were  organized  about 
March  i,  1865  ;  the  organization  continued  two  years,  when.  Murphy  retiring,  it 
became  Cotton's  Minstrels. 

In  1870  he  joined  Manning's  Minstrels  in  Chicago,  playing  an  extended  en- 
gagement there.  Later  Arlington,  Cotton  and  Kemble's  Minstrels  were  launched 
in  the  same  city,  and  met  with  such  success  that  a  theatre  was  built  especially  for 
them.  Accordingly,  Myers  Opera  House,  Chicago,  was  opened  with  this  com- 
pany September  23,  1S72. 


FROM  ■•DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  63 

Early  in  1875  he  was  with  Billy  Emerson's  Minstrels  at  Hooley's  Theatre, 
Chicago,  and  that  same  year,  with  Dave  Reed,  opened  the  Twenty-third  Street 
Opera  House,  New  York,  which  had  lately  been  vacated,  owing  to  the  death  of 
Dan  Bryant.    The  company  was  known  as  Cotton  and  Reed's  Minstrels. 

A  short  season  of  management  at  Wood's  Museum,  Chicago,  not  proving 
successful,  with  his  wife  and  daughter  he  produced  and  played  for  many  years 
"Faithful  Bob";  later  this  play  was  known  as  "True  Devotion". 

In  1878  he  returned  to  minstrelsy  for  a  few  months,  forming  an  alliance  with 
Cal  Wagner,  known  as  Cotton  and  Wagner's  Minstrels. 

In  1886  Birch  and  Cotton's  Minstrels  again  took  the  road;  following  this,  he 
played  a  few  seasons  in  California  with  a  repertoire  company. 

Engagements  of  late  years  were  character  parts  in  "The  War  of  Wealth", 
"The  New  South"  and  "As  Ye  Sow". 

Ben  Cotton  was  thrice  married. 

Ben  Cotton,  Jr.,  who  is  dead,  and  Idalene  Cotton,  who  is  the  wife  of  Nick 
Long,  are  his-  children. 

Ben  Cotton  was  born  in  Pawtucket,  R.  I.,  July  27,  1829;  he  died  in  New 
York  City,  February  14,  1908. 

Anthony  Nish  was  well  known  for  many  years  as  a  minstrel  "leader." 

His  first  theatrical  appearance  was  in  the  50's,  with  Parham's  Minstrels. 
July  II,  1857,  he  sailed  for  England  with  Raynor  and  Pierce's  "Christy"  Min- 
strels, opening  in  London,  August  3,  following. 

He  continued  with  this  company  for  a  lengthy  period,  later  organizing  a 
troupe  of  his  own.  He  finally  returned  to  London,  and  was  with  Moore  and 
Burgess'  Minstrels  for  many  years. 

He  was  born  in  New  Castle,  England ;  he  died  in  London,  England,  October 
3,  1874;  age  39  years. 

J.  B.  Murphy  was  a  well-known  composer,  vocalist  and  manager.     He  had 
been  with  Beler's  Campbell  Minstrels  in    1861,  and  with  Lloyd  and  Bidaux's, 
where  he  commenced  an  engagement  January  21,  1867. 
He  died  in  Jersey  City,  N.  J.,  July  13,  1871. 

George  W.  Herman  (Simonson),  well  and  favorably  known  as  a  black-face 
comedian  and  banjoist,  and  a  brother  of  J.  A.  Herman,  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y., 
about  August,  1882. 

Joseph  Mortimer  (Mocherman)  began  his  professional  career  in  the  va- 
riety theatres  as  a  black-face  banjo  player ;  later  he  was  with  Gardner  and  Fore- 
paugh's  Circus. 

His  first  managerial  experience  was  with  the  Canterbury  in  Philadelphia  in 
1864. 

Subsequently  he  assumed  control  of  what  is  now  known  as  the  National  and 
Casino  Theatres  in  the  same  city,  the  former  on  February  6,  1871 ;  the  latter 
August  23,  1873. 

He  retired  from  the  management  of  the  Grand  Central  Theatre,  June  24, 
1876,  and  took  the  management  of  Matt  Morgan's  Variety  Company.  This  was 
his  last  theatrical  enterprise. 

Mr.   Mortimer   was  twice  married— first   to   Effie  Walters,   who  was  later 


64  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

known  as  Florence  Stover,  and  later  to  Ida  Morris ;  both  were  professional  ladies. 

Wm.  A.  Mortimer,  the  well-known  actor  of  Corse  Pay  ton's  Stock  Com- 
pany, is  his  son. 

Joseph  Mortimer  was  born  in  Harrisburg,  Pa. ;  he  died  there  January  6, 
1880. 

THE  MORRIS  BROTHERS. 

The  careers  of  Lon  and  Billy  Morris  were  practically  contemporaneous. 

Their  first  professional  appearance  was  made  at  Charlotte,  N.  Y.,  in  1845, 
at  a  very  early  age. 

About  1852  they  joined  Ordway's  Aeolians  in  Boston,  where  they  remained 
five  years,  and  met  with  such  success  that,  in  conjunction  with  Johnny  Pell  and 
J.  T.  Huntley,  they  organized  a  company  bearing  their  names,  and  opened  at  the 
Howard  Athenaeum  in  Boston,  December  25,  1857. 

Early  in  1859  Mr.  Huntley  withdrew  from  the  organization,  and  Jos.  Trow- 
bridge was  taken  as  a  partner. 

Subsequently,  through  the  death  of  Pell  and  the  retirement  of  Trowbridge, 
the  company  was  known  as  the  Morris  Minstrels,  and  as  such  they  opened  in  St. 
Louis  Mo.,  November  6,  1867. 

About  two  years  later  the  organization  disbanded,  and  Lon  and  Billy  Morris 
took  up  other  pursuits. 

Both  were  comedians  of  ability;  Lon  was  the  tamibourinist  and  Billy  the 
bones  of  the  troupe. 

Charley  Morris,  who  was  at  various  times  agent,  performer  and  manager, 
began  his  theatrical  career  simultaneously  with  his  brothers  in  1845,  and  was 
associated  with  them  practically  until  July  27,  1861,  when,  in  conjunction  with 
W.  H.  Brockway  and  John  E.  Taylor,  he  organized  a  company,  opening  at 
Gloucester,  Mass. 

In  1863  Mr.  Morris  was  associated  in  the  management  of  the  Morris  Min- 
strels with  Add  Weaver;  April  10,  1865,  with  Fred  Wilson,  he  opened  in  St. 
Louis,  Mo.,  a  permanent  minstrel  company  that  was  successfully  run  until  the 
dissolution  of  the  partnership,  February,  1867. 

Mr.  Morris  subsequently  conducted  his  own  minstrel  companies  until  about 
1878,  and  about  a  year  or  so  later  retired  from  active  management. 

Mr.  Morris  excelled  as  a  ban  joist. 

Lon  Morris  was  born  in  Fort  Erie,  N.  Y.,  May  15,  1830;  he  died  in  New 
York,  May  6,  1882. 

Billy  Morris  was  born  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  April  11,  1831  ;  he  died  in  Bos- 
ton, Alass.,  October  11,  1878.   ■ 

Charles  A.  Morris  was  born  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  March  2y,  1834 ;  he  is  now 
a  guest  of  the  Actors  Home  in  Staten  Island,  N.  Y. 


Sam    Sharpley,   Nelse   Seymour,  James   Unsworth,  James   Budworth 
and  Dan  Bryant — all  died  within  a  hundred  days  in  1875. 


"Pop"  Reece  (Lewis  M.  Reece)  was  an  old-time  performer.  As  early  as 
June  18,  1856,  he  was  a  member  of  Dave  Reed's  Minstrels  on  the  steamer  "James 
Raymond." 

He  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  December  18,  1890;  age  about  60  years. 


1^    -SSk 

.^.. 

V 

/ 

HANK.    GOODMAN 


MATT.  PEEL 


W.    W.    NEWCOMB 


FAYETTE    WELCH 


JOHNNY    BOOKER 


NELSE.    SEYMOUR 


JOHN    A.    MACK 


■TONY"    MOORE 


NEIL.    BRYANT 


THE  OLD  GUARD. 


66  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Dave  Braham,  whose  catchy  melodies  did  so  much  to  make  Harrigan  and 
Hart's  series  of  plays  so  successful,  was  long  in  the  minstrel  business,  and  as 
early  as  May  13,  1862,  played  at  the  Academy  of  Music,  New  York. 

He  was  born  in  England,  and  died  in  New  York  City,  April  11,  1905;  age 
65  years.  " 

"Young  Dan  Emmett"  (Harry  Huntington),  a  comedian  who  was  with 
several  minstrel  companies,  died  in  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  July  15,  1861. 

Denny  Gallagher,  one  of  the  best  known  of  black-face  performers  about 
fifty  Tears- ago,  entered  the  profession  about  1848,  doing  Irish  songs  and  dances 
in  white  face. 

In  conjunction  with  Andy  Leavitt  and  John  Mulligan,  they  formed  a  trio 
which  for  genuine  black-face  comedy  has  never  been  excelled.  They  played 
three  years  at  the  Melodeon  in  New  York. 

Denny  Gallagher  was  born  in  New  York  in  1830;  he  died  in  Philadelphia, 
November  23,  1868. 

Mike  Mitchell  was  one  of  minstrelsy's  greatest  dancers. 
He  had  his  own  minstrel  company  on  the  road  in  the  50's,  and  had  been  as- 
sociated with  many  first-class  organizations. 

He  died  in  Victoria,  B.  C,  January  13,  1862;  age  32  years. 

Charles  Koppitz,  a  famous  muicsian,  who  achieved  prominence  in  other 
lines,  was  with  George  Christy's  Minstrels  in  California  in  1858  in  the  capacity 
of  musical  director. 

He  was  born  in  Holstein,  Germany;  he  died  in  St.  Johns,  N.  B.,  June  22, 
1873;  age  43  years. 

Dave  Carson  was  another  performer  and  manager  who  was  best  known 
abroad.  He  sailed  for  Australia  in  1853,  and  for  many  years  played  in  every  sec- 
tion of  that  country. 

He  returned  to  New  York  about  1869,  and  after  appearing  here  for  a  while 
he  again  went  abroad. 

He  was  born  in  New  York  about  1830;  he  was  living  as  late  as  1875. 

Dan  Holt,  a  well-known  black-face  performer  in  the  South  many  years 
ago,  died  in  New  Orleans,  La.,  October  10,  1867. 

Tom  Prendergast  was  a  prominent  tenor  vocalist. 

He  was  one  of  the  original  members  of  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York, 
opening  February  23,  1857.  In  1864  he  was  with  Hooley  in  Brooklyn,  and  had 
been  associated  in  minstrel  ventures  with  Cool.  Burgess,  Archie  Hughes  and  D. 
C.  La  Rue. 

He  retired  about  a  year  previous  to  his  death,  which  occurred  in  Utica,  N. 
Y.,  March  6,  1869;  age  39  years. 

Albert  Jones  (Silcox)  was  a  good  comedian  and  general  performer;  in 
Boston  and  Chicago,  he  was  especially  well  known,  having  been  connected  with 
prominent  companies  in  those  cities. 

He  died  in  Boston,  Mass.,  November  25,  1866;  age  36  years. 


FROM  "DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  67 

William  N.  Smith  at  the  time  of  his  death  was  considered  one  of  the 
greatest  bone  players  in  minstrelsy. 

He  had  played  many  engagements  with  various  companies.  He  was  the 
first  to  give  imitations  of  the  snare  drums  with  the  bones. 

Owing  to  an  accident,  he  was  compelled  to  retire  from  the  profession,  which 
he  did  April  18,  1867.    He  died  in  New  York,  February  4,  1869. 

Mike  O'Brien,  an  old-time  banjoist  and  ballad  singer,  who  had  been  with 
Sanford's  and  other  minstrel  companies,  died  at  Algiers,  La.,  April  28,  1869. 

Edwin  Holmes,  a  popular  minstrel  tenor,  who  was  with  Duprez  and 
Green's  and  later  Duprez  and  Benedict's  Minstrels  for  about  six  years,  com- 
mencing in  1862,  died  in  Boston,  Mass.,  July  11,  1879. 

Ned  Greenland  was  one  of  the  best  beloved  characters  in  theatredom. 
Though  many  years  dead,  his  praises  are  yet  sung  to-day.  He  was  treasurer  and 
business  agent  for  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  for  several  seasons. 

He  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  August  4,  1883. 

Mike  Kanane,  a  famous  dancer  in  the  good  old  minstrel  days,  died  in  San 
Francisco,  Gal,  December  7,  1886. 

Stephen  B.  Ball  was  a  famous  vocalist  of  Ordway's  Aeolians  in  Boston 
as  early  as  1851 ;  he  retired  about  1856,  and  became  director  of  the  choir  of  the 
Old  School  Street  Church  in  that  city.     He  was  a  fine  singer  and  vocal  teacher. 

He  died  in  Boston,  Mass.,  September  27,  1881. 

Harry  Lehr.  Of  this  famous  minstrel's  talents  and  abilities  there  was  no 
divergence  of  opinion ;  manager,  critic  and  performers  were  unanimous  in  their 
verdict  that  he  never  had  a  superior  as  a  comedian.  One  manager,  John  L.  Carn- 
cross,  went  further  and  declared  that  he  never  had  an  equal. 

His  first  professional  appearance  was  with  a  small  minstrel  .company  in 
Camden,  N.  J.,  February  22,  1846. 

At  the  age  of  16  he  organized  a  troupe  of  his  own. 

In  1852  he  was  with  Kunkel's  Nightingales,  and  subsequently  with  Rumsey 
and  Newcomb's  Minstrels,  with  whom  he  remained  until  the  Spring  of  1861. 
Subsequently  he  became  a  member  of  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and 
in  1864  joined  Carncross  and  Dixey's  Mistrels  in  Philadelphia  and  remained 
there  for  seven  seasons. 

In  1871-72  he  was  with  Simmons  and  Slocum's  Minstrels,  also  in  Philadel- 
phia. In  1872  he  re-joined  Carncross  and  Dixey,  and  continued  with  them  until 
November,  1875,  when  he  made  his  final  stage  appearance. 

Mr.  Lehr  was  thoroughly  legitimate  in  each  character  he  portrayed  ;  he  was 
the  "darky"  in  life  as  well  as  color. 

Harry  Lehr  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  October  7,  1830;  he  died  there  Sep- 
tember 10,  1 88 1. 

Dave  Reed.  The  career  of  this  famous  old-timer  practically  began  with 
minstrelsy  itself. 

He  it  was,  with  Dan  Bryant,  who  did  so  much  to  popularize  "Shoo  F!j[" 


68  MONARCHS  OP  MINSTRELSY, 

more  than  fort}'  years  ago ;  and  "Sally  Come  Up"  will  always  be  identified  with 
his  memory. 

But  as  a  bone  player,  Dave  Reed  is  probably  best  remembered ;  his  imitations 
of  drums,  horses  running  and  the  like  were  wonderful ;  the  art  practically  died 
with  him.  Mr.  Reed's  career  began  about  1844  with  a  small  traveling  company. 
He  played  in  and  around  New  York  for  several  seasons  and  later  went  West. 

June    18,    1856,   Dave  Reed's   Minstrels  were  the   feature  performance  on 
board  the  steamer  "James  Raymond",  plying  the  Mississippi. 

Mr.  Reed  was  with  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  New  York  in  1861  ;  subsequently 
with  the  latter  in  Brooklyn.  He  joined  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York  in  1863; 
he  was  there  when  Dan  Bryant  died,  April  10,  1875.  In  between,  about  1868,  he 
was  with  Kelly  and  Leon,  also  in  New  York. 

About  twenty-five  years  ago  Dave  Reed,  his  wife  and  four  clever  children 
made  their  appearance  in  vaudeville  as  the  Reed  Family ;  later  they  ^vere  known 
as  the  Reed  Birds.     He  retired  in  1903. 

Dave  Reed,  Jr.,  the  popular  song  composer,  is  his  son. 

Dave  Reed  was  born  in  New  York,  November  18,  1830;  he  died  there  De- 
cember 5,   1906. 

Billy  Birch  was  a  name  to  conjure  with  for  many  years,  especially  in  the 
Metropolis.  He  made  his  first  appearance  in  New  Hartford,  N.  Y.,  in  1844 
with  a  minstrel  show,  as  an  amateur. 

His  initial  professional  appearance  was  with  the  Raymond  Minstrels  at 
Stamford,  Conn.,  in  1846. 

Subsequently  he  was  identified  with  many  prominent  organizations  until 
1850,  when  he  appeared  first  in  New  York  with  Fellowe's  Minstrels. 

When  Wood  and  Christy  were  running  two  houses  on  Broadway,  444  and 
472,  Birch  and  Geo.  Christy  would  simultaneously  appear  at  their  respective  thea- 
tres in  the  first  part,  and  would  then  proceed  to  the  other  theatre  and  finish  their 
performance  for  the  evening;  this  was  about  1855.  In  1851,  with  Sam  Wells 
and  Dick  Sliter,  he  opened  in  San  Francisco  with  Birch,  Wells  and  Sliter's  Min- 
strels, and  remained  six  years;  under  the  management  of  Tom  Maguire. 

August  20,  1857,  Mr.  Birch  sailed  for  New  York,  and  a  few  days  later  was 
wrecked  ofif  the  coast  of  Charleston,  S.  C. ;  he  finally  made  his  way  to  New  York, 
where  he  played  a  brief  engagement  with  Bryant's  Minstrels,  commencing  Sep- 
tember 28. 

In  February,  1858,  Birch's  Minstrels  opened  in  Chicago;  subsequently  he 
was  one  of  the  performers  on  the  steamer  "Banjo,"  which  plyed  the  Mississippi 
River.  Afterwards  Mr.  Birch  was  associated  in  several  minstrel  ventures  with 
J.  B.  Donniker,  Joe  Murphy,  Sam  Sharpley  and  Ben  Cotton.  With  the  latter  he 
formed  Birch  and  Cotton's  Minstrels  in  San  Francisco  in  1862;  likewise  nearly 
a  quarter  of  a  century  later  (July,  1886)  did  these  old  minstrels  reunite,  and  the 
great  California  metropolis  again  saw  Birch  and  Cotton's  Minstrels. 

September  15,  1864,  Birch,  Dave  Wambold  and  Charley  Backus  opened  in 
San  Francisco  as  the  San  Francisco  Minstrels,  and  in  January,  1865,  Wm.  H. 
Bernard  joined  the  organization.  In  March  following  they  sailed  for  New  York, 
and  on  May  8th,  1865,  gave  their  first  performance  at  585  Broadway;  four  days 
previous  they  appeared  in  Newark,  N.  J. 

The  company  continued  at  585  until  April  27,  1872;  on  August  28,  1872,  as 
Birch,  Wambold  and  Backus'  Minstrels,  they  opened  at  St.  James  Hall,  the  pres- 


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70  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

ent  site  of  the  5th  Avenue  Theatre;  season  of  1873-74  the  company  traveled,  and 
on  September  3,  1874,  they  opened  at  their  own  new  theatre  on  Broadway,  until 
when  recently  demolished,  known  as  the  Princess  Theatre. 

They  continued  until  1880,  when  the  company  was  known  as  Birch  and 
Backus'  Minstrels,  and  remained  as  such  until  late  in  1882,  when  it  became 
Birch,  Hamilton,  and  Backus'  Minstrels;  this  alliance  was  short  lived,  and  the 
season  of  1882-83  finished  as  Birch  and  Backus'  Minstrels. 

August  27,  1883,  Birch's  San  Francisco  Minstrels  opened;  Decernber  3, 
"Jack"  Haverly  became  a  partner,  but  on  December  29,  1883,  the  last  perform- 
ance of  the  famous  San  Francisco  Minstrels  was  given  in  New  York. 

In  the  fall  of  1884  with  Harry  Kennedy  he  again  launched  Birch's  San 
Francisco  Minstrels,  but  lasted  only  a  few  weeks;  in  November,  1886,  he  re- 
turned to  his  "old  home"  as  a  member  of  Lew  Dockstader's  Minstrels,  for  a  short 
sojourn.  In  1889  with  Frank  Moran  he  organized  Birch  and  Moran's  Min- 
strels, and  on  July  17,  1890,  he  began  his  last  minstrel  engagement  with  Wm. 
Henry  Rice's  World's  Fair  Minstrels. 

Birch  was  a  typical  comedian  of  the  old  school  of  minstrelsy. 

Billy  Birch  was  born  in  Utica,  N.  Y.,  February  26,  1831 ;  he  died  in  New 
York  City,  April  20,  1897. 

Charles  Backus,  of  the  famous  San  Francisco  Minstrels  "quartette,"  and 
one  of  the  principal  comedians  of  the  organization,  achieved  wide  fame  for  his 
impersonations  of  prominent  actors,  in  which  he  was  an  adept. 

He  went  to  California  in  1852,  and  two  years  later  organized  Backus'  Min- 
strels there;  in  1855  he  took  the  company  to  Australia,  and  a  few  years  later  or- 
ganized Horn  and  Backus'  Minstrels;  in  1859  he  again  went  to  Australia,  and 
appeared  as  a  negro  clown  in  Burton's  Circus. 

He  returned  to  San  Francisco  in  1861,  and  after  playing  several  engage- 
ments there,  on  September  15,  1864,  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  Birch,  Wam- 
bold  and  Backus'  Minstrels ;  his  career  from  that  time  until  his  death  was  linked 
with  that  of  Billy  Birch. 

Mr.  Backus  was  married  to  Leo  Hudson,  the  famous  equestrienne;  he  was 
divorced  in  March,  1866;  subsequently  he  married  Miss  Kate  Newton,  the  well- 
known  actress. 

On  October  17,  1876,  in  Philadelphia,  he  married  Miss  Tizzie  Mason. 

Charles  Backus  was  born  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  in  1831 ;  he  died  in  New 
York  City,  June  21,  1883. 

D.iiVE  Wambold,  universally  conceded  as  minstrelsy's  greatest  balladist, 
made  his  first  appearance  with  a  small  minstrel  company  in  1849;  his  New  York 
debut  was  made  with  Donaldson's  Minstrels  four  years  later;  he  subsequently 
appeared  with  Charley  White's  Minstrels  in  the  same  city  for  two  years. 

In  August,  1857,  he  opened  with  Raynor  and  Pierce's  Minstrels  in  London, 
England,  and  remained  in  Europe  with  various  organizations  for  several  years. 

In  addition  to  being  a  remarkable  singer,  it  is  not  generally  known,  but 
nevertheless  a  fact,  that  Mr.  Wambold  was  the  first  performer  to  do  a  Dutch 
part  in  black-face;  his  dialect  was  one  of  the  best. 

September  15,  1864,  he  organized  with  Birch  and  Backus  the  San  Francisco 
Minstrels,  opening  in  New  York  in  May,  1865 ;  he  continued  with  the  organiza- 


FROM  "DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  yi 

tion  until  May  i,  1880,  when  owing  to  ill  health,  he  retired  from  minstrelsy,  at 
Holyoke,  Mass. 

Mr.  Wambold  married  Miss  Isabella  Young  in  Philadelphia,  April  25,  1859. 
Dave  Wambold  was  born  in  Elizabethtown,  N.  J.,  April,  1836;  he  died  in 
New  York  City,  November  10,  1889. 


Tom  Lewis  says  that  when  making  the  parade  in  Lynchburg,  Va.,  about 
ten  or  twelve  years  ago,  a  "rube"  asked  him  (Lewis)  what  "society"  it  was. 
"Sons  of  Poor  Parents,"  replied  Lewis. 

Billy  West,  who  happened  to  overhear  the  retort,  also  said  something. 


Wm.  H.  Bernard  (White)  was  the  greatest  interlocutor,  or  middle-man, 
that  minstrelsy  has  ever  known. 

He  is  credited  with  having  organized  the  first  minstrel  company  in  San 
Francisco;  this  was  in  August,  1849;  performances  were  in  the  Parker  House, 
and  patrons  gladly  paid  $5.00  per  ticket  for  the  privilege  of  seeing  the  minstrels. 
"Those  were  the  happy  days." 

In  the  winter  of  1849  he  made  a  trip  to  the  Sandwich  Islands  as  one  of  the 
"New  York  Serenaders,"  and  in  1850  he  went  to  Sydney,  Australia,  and  gave 
the  first  minstrel  performance  that  the  big  island  ever  saw ;  subsequently  he 
went  to  India,  and  was  the  first  to  introduce  minstrelsy  there. 

In  January,  1865,  he  joined  Birch,  Wambold  and  Backus  with  their  com- 
pany in  San  Francisco,  and  until  the  Spring  of  1872,  when  he  retired  perma- 
nently from  the  profession  he  so  long  and  ably  graced,  he  was  associated  in  part- 
nership with  those  gentlemen. 

William  H.  Bernard  was  born  in  New  York  City,  in  1830;  he  died  there 
January  5,  1890. 

Charles  A.  Morningstar,  a  well-known  agent  and  manager  of  the  6o's, 
and  proprietor  of  Morningstar's  Minstrels  in  1863,  was  murdered  near  Mobile, 
Ala.,  December  27,  1871. 

Frank  Kent  was  one  of  the  early  female  impersonators,  or  wench  dancers, 
as  these  performers  were  originally  known. 

In  December,  1842,  at  the  Franklin  Theatre  in  New  York,  Master  Kent  ap- 
peared in  a  variety  entertainment. 

For  many  years  he  appeared  with  the  various  minstrel  companies,  notably 
Howard  Burlesque  Opera  Troupe ;  San  Franciscos  in  New  York ;  Duprez  and 
Benedict,  in  Philadelphia ;  Duprez  and  Green's ;  Arlington,  Cotton  and  Kemble's 
in  Chicago,  and  Morris  Brothers,  Pell  and  Trowbridge,  in  Boston.  In  all  prob- 
ability his  last  appearance  in  minstrelsy  was  with  Wm.  Henry  Rice's  Company, 
commencing  July  17,  1890. 

Frank  Kent  was  born  in  Salem,  Mass. ;  he  died  in  Cooperstown,  N.  Y., 
August  15,  1906;  age  about  75  years. 

Thomas  P.  Brower,  a  brother  of  Frank  Brower,  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  first  minstrel  show,  and  himself  a  performer  of  ability,  died  in  Philadelphia, 
March  15,  1867;  age  37  years. 


72  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Duke  Morgan,  an  old-time  violinist  and  musician  of  the  real  early  days  of 
minstrelsy,  died  in  New  York  City  in  October,  1881. 

Otto  Burbank  was  one  of  the  best  jig  dancers  in  the  early  minstrel  days, 
likewise  a  good  comedian.  He  was  prominently  identified  with  some  of  the  best 
minstrel  organizations,  notably  Collins'  "Christy"  Minstrels,  in  London,  Eng- 
land, in    1862. 

He  died  at  Peoria,  111.,  February  13,  1882. 

Harry  Pell,  an  old-time  black-face  comedian,  who  was  an  excellent  stump 
orator,  played  several  minstrel  engagements,  notably  with  the  Morris  company 
in  1863. 

He  died  in  New  York  City,  June  i,  1866. 

John  Cluskey,  at  one  time  rated  as  one  of  the  best  dancers  of  his  day,  died 
at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  September  17,  1864. 

Alexander  Zanfretta,  the  famous  pantomimist,  played  important  minstrel 
engagements,  notably  with  Simmons  and  Slocum's,  in  Philadelphia,  and  with 
Haverly. 

He  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  May  14,  1899. 

Charles  H.  Duprez  was  one  of  the  great  managers  of  early  minstrelsy. 

In  1852  he  made  his  cntre  into  the  profession  at  New  Orleans,  La.,  with 
the  company  that  was  afterwards  known  as  Carle,  Duprez  and  Green's  Minstrels. 
In  1858  the  organization  was  known  as  Duprez  and  Green's,  and  it  remained  as 
such  until  1865  at  Green  Bay,  Wis.,  when  Air.  Green  retiring,  Lew  Benedict  pur- 
chased his  interest,  and  Duprez  and  Benedict's  Minstrels  were  organized;  Mr. 
Benedict  retired  from  the  company  in  1876;  Mr.  Duprez  continued  on  with  the 
same  trade-mark  until  about  1885,  when  retiring  from  minstrelsy  he  went  into 
the  hotel  business  in  Lowell,  Mass. 

Charles  H.  Duprez  was  born  in  Paris,  France,  March  13,  1830;  he  died  in 
Providence,  R.  I.,  August  31,  1902. 

J.  A.  Basouin,  a  well-known  minstrel  singer,  who  was  also  known  at  various 
times  as  J.  J.  Roberts  and  J.  Waterman,  was  a  prominent  member  of  Buckleys 
Serenaders  in  the  6o's  and  early  70's,  also  with  Unsworth  and  Eugene  in  Eng- 
land in  1868. 

J.  A.  Basquin  was  born  in  France;  he  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  January  27, 
1872;  age  42  years. 

John  Simpson,  prominent  for  many  years  as  business  manager  of  Bryant's 

Minstrels,  in  New  York  City,  died  November  15,  1881. 

Wm.  T.  Bryant  (O'Brien),  a  brother  of  Dan,  Neil  and  Jerry,  a  mediocre 
performer,  was  with  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York  at  the  time  of  his  death, 
September  23,  1865. 

Joe  Brown,  one  of  the  world's  greatest  jig  dancers,  made  his  first  appear- 
ance at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  in  1844.     His  first  New  York  engagement  was  in  the  fall 


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74  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

of  1852;  August  3,  1857,  he  opened  with  "Christy's  Minstrels  in  London,  Eng- 
land, remaining  with,  them  until  about  i860,  when  he  joined  Nish's  "Christy" 
Minstrels,  opening  in  Cape  Town,  South  Africa,  August  20,  1862.  Prior  to  the 
opening  he  and  the  company  were  shipwrecked,  losing  everything  except  his 
clothes;  a  handsome  silver  belt  he.  won  from  Dick.  Sliter  in  1856  was  amongst 
the  things  lost. 

Returning  to  England  in  1863,  he  organized  Joe  Brown's  "Christy"  Min- 
strels, visiting  Egypt  and  India;  returning  to  London,  opened  at  St.  James  Hall, 
June  II,  1866.  In  1868  he  paid  a  brief  visit  to  the  United  States,  then  returned 
to  England. 

Joe  Brown  was  born  in  Buflfalo,  N.  Y.,  January  2,  1830;  he  died  in  Glasgow, 
Scotland,  October  25,  1883. 

C.  D.  Abbott  was  a  prominent  musician  of  the  early  days  of  minstrelsy, 
when  those  performers  were  artists  in  their  respective  lines,  and  each  one  was  a 
soloist. 

He  died  at  La  Salle,  III,  May  20,  1864. 


Wm.  Henry  Rice  made  his  first  minstrel  appearance  September  19,  1859; 
"Daddy"  Rice  died  exactly  one  year  later. 


Billy  Blair,  the  old-time  general  minstrel  performer  who  was  with  Chris- 
ty's Minstrels  as  early  as  May,  1856,  also  many  other  organizations,  was  a  good 
"Bob  Ridley"  and  end  man.    He  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  January  19,  1888. 

Johnny  Booker  (Sam.  Roberts),  was  one  of  the  early  minstrel  comedians 
and  managers. 

In  the  middle  5o"s  he  toured  with  Booker  and  Evart's  Minstrels ;  subse- 
quently Booker  and  Sliter's  and  intermittently  with  Johnny  Booker's  Minstrels. 
In  the  early  days  he  made  famous  a  song  that  had  great  vogue  called  "Meet 
Johnny  Booker  at  the  Bowling  Green."  He  was  a  member  of  Dave  Reed's  Min- 
strels on  board  the  Steamer  "James  Raymond,"  June  18,  1856.  Among  the  no- 
table minstrel  organizations  he  was  with  were  Hooley's,  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y., 
1862 ;  Lloyd  and  Bidaux's,   1867,  and  Arlington's,  in   1870. 

Johnny  Booker  was  born  in  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  October,  1830;  he  died 
at  Dayton,  Ohio,  October  25,  1898. 

Henry  Wood  was  one  of  the  most  famous  of  New  York  City  minstrel  man- 
agers. He  entered  the  theatrical  field  at  444  Broadway,  in  185 1,  with  Jerome 
B.  Fellowe,  and  conducted  Wood  and  Fellowe's  Minstrels  until  February,  1852, 
when  he  had  the  show  to  himself.' 

Wood's  Minstrels  continued  there  until  October  31,  1853,  when  he  formed 
an  alliance  with  George  Christy,  and  as  W^ood  and  Christy's  Minstrels  they 
flourished  until  May,  1858. 

"444"  burned  down  December  2,  1854,  the  company  then  going  shortly  after 
to  "472"  Broadway. 

Later,  for  a  brief  period,  both  houses  were  run  simultaneously. 

October  i,  1855,  "444"  reopened,  and  on  October  31,  1857,  they  moved  to 
their  new  Marble  Palace,  561-63  Broadway;  this  house  was  closed  September  3, 


FROM  "DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  75 

1859.     Nine  days  later  Mr.  Wood  returned  to  "444,"  where  he  remained  prac- 
tically until  July  7,  1862,  when  he  moved  his  company  to  514  Broadway. 
Wood's  Minstrels  ceased  as  an  institution  about   1866. 
■    Mr.  Wood  was  a  brother  of  Fernando  Wood,  once  Mayor  of  New  York. 
Henry  Wood  is  said  to  have  died  about  twenty-eight  years  ago ;  he  is  also  said 
to  be  living. 

Pete  Lane  was  a  great  jig  and  a  good  general  dancer.  He  was  with  San- 
ford's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia  in  1856;  he  died  there  June  27,  1858. 

Charles  Noble,  the  well-known  minstrel  bass  singer  who  was  with 
Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West's,  and  other  well  known  minstrel  organizations, 
died  in  New  York  City,  June  8,  1892 ;  age  62  years. 

Bob  Smith,  the  old-time  minstrel  performer,  was  associated  with  many  of 
the  best  performers  of  his  day. 

As  a  tambourine  manipulator  he  achieved  particular  prominence,  and 
ranked  with  the  best. 

He  died  at  St.  Johnland,  Staten  Island,  N.  Y.,  April  20,  1900;  age  about  70 
years. 

Billy  Wright,  an  old-time  comedian,  had  some  prominence  as  a  "knife 
thrower."  His  chief  claim  to  fame  lies  in  the  fact  that  he  was  instrumental  in 
obtaining  an  opportunity  for  the  embryonic  talents  of  Francis  Wilson  to  be  given 
recognition,   which  he  did  about   1865. 

He  died  in  Philadelphia,  March  10,  1879. 

Matt.  Peel  (Flannery).  There  are  few  who  are  alive  to-day  who  remem- 
ber the  performances  of  this  sterling  young  versatile  performer,  whose  first  pro- 
fessional appearance  was  made  in  New  York  in  1840.  A  few  years  later  he 
joined  Campbell's  Minstrels,  the  only  organization  at  that  time  bearing  that 
name. 

He  continued  with  this  company  several  years,  and  on  July  17,  1850,  in 
company  with  James  Norris,  Jos.  D.  Murphy,  and  Luke  West,  organized  another 
company;  with  the  exception  of  the  first  named,  all  were  performers.  Subse- 
quently and  for  a  few  years  the  organization  was  known  as  Murphy,  West  and 
Peel's  Minstrels,  and  later  Matt.  Peel's  Minstrels,  by  which  it  was  known  until 
the  death  of  Mr.  Peel. 

Mr.  Peel  was  one  of  the  first  minstrel  performers  to  sing  an  Irish  song  on 
the  end. 

Matt.  Peel  was  born  in  New  York,  January  15,  1830;  he  died  in  Buffalo, 
N.  Y.,  May  4,  1859. 

Charley  O'Neill,  a  well-known  comedian  who  was  with  Unsworth's  Min- 
strels in  1861,  and  subsequently  with  Hooley  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  committed 
suicide  by  drowning,  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  July  21,  1863. 

John  Hooley,  a  brother  of  the  famous  manager,  R.  M.  Hooley,  ran  a  min- 
strel company  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  in  1873. 
He  died  there  April  12,  1891. 


76  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Mert.  Sexton  was  prominent  as  a  comedian  and  dancer;  his  chief  fame 
rested  in  his  ability  -to  dance  the  "Essence  of  Old  Virginia."  He  played  with 
many  famous  organizations,  notably  Matt.  Peel's  in  1858;  Fox  and  Worden's  in 
1859,  and  Collins'  "Christy"  Minstrels  in  1862;  the  two  latter  companies  were  in 
England. 

Mert.  Sexton  is  said  to  have  died  in  Long  Island  City,  N.  Y.,  in  May,  1866. 

Seth  Howard,  one  of  the  old-time  interlocutors  and  straight  men,  who  was 
one  of  the  original  Bryant's  Minstrels  at  Mechanics  Hall  in  New  York  City  in 
1857,  died  at  Hornellsville,  N.  Y.,  February  11,  i860. 

George  Langdon,  an  aged  darky  impersonator  and  singer,  and  who  sang 
duets  with  John  L.  Carncross  in  Philadelphia  before  Carncross  joined  Sanford's 
Minstrels  in  that  city,  died  at  Pawtucket,  Mass.,  May  12,   1859. 

Harry  Evarts,  who  was  associated  with  Johnny  Booker  with  Booker  and 
Evarts'  Minstrels  in  the  50's,  and  was  considered  a  good  general  performer,  was 
in  later  years  prominently  identified  with  several  companies  in  an  executive  ca- 
pacity. 

He  was  killed  in  a  wreck  near  Hamilton,  Canada,  April  28,   1889. 

Dick  (Richard)  Silver,  was  an  early  member  of  the  famous  Morris  Bros., 
Pell  and  Trowbridge's  Minstrels  in  the  6o's. 

At  the  time  of  his  death  he  had  been  in  the  theatrical  profession  about  sev- 
enty years. 

Mr.  Silver  was  born  in  Groton,  Vt.,  he  died  in  Traverse  City,  Mich.,  Oc- 
tober 10,  1909. 

Lew  Rattler,  long  associated  in  the  early  days  of  minstrelsy  in  California, 
and  a  member  of  an  organization  of  the  same  name  in  1859,  was  a  comedian  of 
merit. 

lie  died  in  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  March  27,  1905. 

Theodore  Gustave  Bidaux  who  ranked  with  the  great  baritone  singers  of 
minstrelsy,  came  to  America  in  1858,  and  appeared  with  much  success  with  the 
following  well-known  burnt  cork  organization — Sanford's,  in  Philadelphia; 
Lloyd  and  Bidaux';  Duprez  and  Green's;  George  Christy's;  Manning's;  Hav- 
erly's,  and  Wm.  Henry  Rice's  in  Cincinnati. 

Mr.  Bidaux  married  a  Mrs.  Ayleen  in  1867. 

Theodore  Gustave  Bidaux  was  born  near  Paris,  France,  March  12,  1830; 
he  died  at  Hatboro,  Pa.,  March  5,  1886. 

Sam  Sharpley  (Sharpe)  was  one  of  the  most  famous  minstrel  comedians 
and  banjoists  of  his  day.    He  first  appeared  professionally  at  the  age  of  16. 

In  1858  he  went  to  Sanford's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  became  a 
great  favorite.  In  i860  he  associated  himself  with  John  L.  Carncross  in  Carn- 
cross and  Sharpley's  Minstrels;  that  same  year  he  also  was  partner  with  Birch 
and  Sharpley's  Minstrels. 

In  the  Fall  of  1862  he  launched  his  famous  "Iron  Clads"  Minstrels.  From 
1865  to  1867  he  was  associated  with  Tony  Pastor  in  the  management  of  what  is 


FRANK  CUSHMAN 


HARRY  C.   SHUNK 


mem'r 


NAT.    HAINES  CHAS.    J.    STINE 

A  QUARTETTE  OF  CORKERS. 


78  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

now  known  as  the  People's  Theatre  in  New  York.  In  1872  he  formed  an  alli- 
ance with  Swaine  Buckley,  and  subsequently  with  Sheridan  and  Mack  in  rtiin- 
strel  organization  bearing  their  names.  He  was  a  natural  wit  and  a  great  enter- 
tainer. 

Sam  Sharpley  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  June  13,  1831 ;  he  died  in  Provi- 
dence, R.  I.,  January  i,   1875. 


Harry  Leighton,  long  and  favorably  knowr  as  a  vocalist,  did  an  end  with 
Vogel's  Minstrels,  April  16,  1908. 


Archie  Hughes  (Arthur  Hughes),  was  one  of  the  biggest  favorites  of 
Hooley's  great  minstrel  company  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  many  years  ago. 

There  is  a  difference  of  opinion  as  to  when  and  where  he  made  his  first 
appearance,  but  it  is  certain  he  was  with  Sam  Sanford's  Minstrels,  traveling  in 
1859;  and  equally  certain  that  one  evening  during  a  performance  with  that  com- 
pany, a  man  in  the  audience  became  so  enthused  with  Hughes'  dancing,  that  he 
took  his  watch  from  his  pocket  and  gave  it  to  him  (Hughes)  ;  he  finished  the 
season  at  Sanford's  Theatre  in  Philadelphia  in  the  Spring  of  i860.  About  June 
following  he  joined  Mrs.  Matt  Peel's  Minstrels;  subsequently  returning  to  San- 
ford's in  Philadelphia. 

September  29,  1862,  he  opened  with  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  at  the 
initial  performance  of  the  organization. 

In  November,  1864,  he  began  an  engagement  with  Wood's  Minstrels  in  New 
York,  and  the  following  year  was  one  of  the  proprietors  of  (Cool.)  Burgess, 
(Tom)   Prendergast,  Hughes  and   (D.  C.)   La  Rue's  Minstrels. 

May  28,  1866,  he  returned  to  Hooley's,  and  at  the  ending  of  the  season  of 
1868-69,  he  went  to  England  with  Smith  and  Taylor's  Minstrels. 

September  12,  1870,  with  Fayette  Welch,  and  Cool.  White,  he  opened  Welch, 
Hughes  and  White's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  on  the  site  now  occupied  by  a  large 
carpet  store;  the  organization  continued  there  for  several  months.  In  1873  ^r. 
Hughes  was  with  Sharpley,  Sheridan  and  Mack's  Company,  and  two  years  later 
he  rejoined  Hooley  in  Brooklyn. 

In  December,  1880,  he  was  a  member  of  Kyle's  "Christy"  Minstrels  in  Bos- 
ton, and  in  September,  1881,  he  began  his  last  engagement  with  Leavitt's  Gigan- 
tean   Minstrels. 

Mr.  Hughes  was  a  splendid  comedian  and  a  fine  dancer;  he  specialized  sing- 
ing Irish  songs  on  the  end. 

Archie  Hughes  was  born  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  about  1830;  he  died  in  Buffalo, 
N.  Y.,  October  18,  1881. 

P.  B.  Isaacs  was  one  of  the  early  minstrel  leaders,  and  a  fine  musician.  He 
was  one  of  the  original  members  of  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York  at  their 
opening,  February  23,   1857. 

He  was  born  in  London,  England,  1831  ;  he  died  in  San  Francisco,  Septem- 
ber 6,  1865. 

William  Blakeney.     The  distinction  of  being  the  oldest  minstrel  leader 
in  all  probability  belongs  to  William  Blakeney,  who  made  his  first  appearance 
with  the  Western  Minstrels,  an  amateur  organization  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  in  1847. 
He  was  five  years  with  the  Yankee  Robinson  Circus. 


FROM  "DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  79 

Late  in  i860  he  joined  William  Christy's  Minstrels,  and  in  the  Spring  of 
1861,  went  to  Europe  with  Rumsey  and  Newcomb's  Minstrels. 

Subsequently  he  was  with  Morris  and  Wilson's  Minstrels  in  St.  Louis,  and 
continued  with  them  four  years.  In  Philadelphia  he  was  with  Simmons  and 
Slocum's  Minstrels  two  years.  February  2,  1878,  he  sailed  with  Kelly  and  Leon 
and  their  minstrel  company  for  Australia;  he  continued  with  them  until  their 
dissolution,  after  which  he  was  associated  with  the  Victoria  Loftus  Troupe. 

Mr.  Blakeney's  most  important  engagement  was  with  the  San  Francisco 
Minstrels  in  New  York,  with  whom  he  remained  five  years. 

William  Blakeney  was  born  in  Elfin,  Ireland,  October  30,  1831. 

Billy  Lawrence,  an  old-timei'  who  had  his  own  minstrel  show  in  Chicago 
as  early  as  1858,  and  for  many  years  after  appeared  with  other  companies,  died 
in  Chicago,  111.,  August  21,  1900;  age  69  years. 

J.  W.  McAndrews  (Walter  James  McAndrews),  famous  for  many  years  as 
the  "Watermelon  Man,"  the  latter  appellation  bemg  the  title  of  the  sketch  he  per- 
formed  for  about  three  decades  with  astonishing  success. 

His  first  professional  appearance  was  made  in  his  native  city  at  the  Rich- 
mond Theatre,  at  the  age  of  13,  in  black-face  and  singing  that  early  favorite, 
"Jim  Along  Josie." 

Subsequently  and  for  many  years  he  did  "nigger"  acts  in  circuses  and  small 
minstrel  companies. 

About  1857  he  joined  Buckley's  Serenaders,  remained  with  them  for  a  con- 
siderable period,  and  went  to  England  with  them  in  i860.  Mr.  McAndrews 
played  sundry  engagements  until  he  joined  Kelly  and  Leon's  Minstrels.  About 
1866,  while  with  that  company  in  Cincinnati,  "Pastimes  on  the  Levee"  was  first 
put  on ;  it  was  not  until  three  or  four  years  later  that  the  skit  got  the  title  that 
made  it  so  popular;  Dan  Bryant  did  the  christening,  and  McAndrews  played 
three  years  with  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York. 

He  went  to  England  with  Haverly's  Mastodons,  and  opened  at  Her  Majes- 
ty's Theatre,  London,  July  31,  1880;  subsequently,  July  17,  1882,  he  played  at 
the  Pavillion  in  the  English  Metropolis,  opening  with  great  success. 

The  succeeding  years  of  his  career  were  spent  with  the  many  prominent 
minstrel  and  variety  organizations,  as  well  as  playing  innumerable  engagements 
in  the  variety  theatres. 

J.  W.  McAndrews  was  born  in  Richmond,  Va.,  November,  1831 ;  he  died  at 
Elgin,  111.,  December  29,  1899. 

James  Budworth,  in  addition  to  being  a  great  minstrel,  was  a  good  actor. 
His  debut  was  made  at  the  Park  Theatre,  in  New  York  City,  in  1848,  as  vocal- 
ist and  mimic. 

May  26,  i860,  James  Budworth,  Frank  Budworth  (his  son,  who  after- 
wards developed  into  one  of  the  best  Chinese  impersonators)  and  his  brother, 
W.  S.  Budworth,  appeared  with  Wood's  Minstrels,  at  the  same  time. 

One  year  prior  to  this,  he  was  the  principal  comedian  with  George  Chris- 
ty's Minstrels  in  New  York,  Christy  had  been  enjoined  from  appearing. 

In  1862  he  was  with  Mrs.  Matt.  Peel's  Minstrels;  September,  1864,  found 
him  with  Hooley's,  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

.  Monday,  August  27,   1866,  with  his  brother  William,  he  opened  the  5th 


8o  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Avenue  Theartre  (until  recently,  when  it  was  demolished,  known  as  the  Madi- 
son Square  Theatre)',,  New  York  City;  they  remained  several  months. 

Mr.  Budworth  was  with  Sam  Sharpley's  Minstrels  in  the  Summer  of  1869, 
and  in  September,  1872,  he  became  a  member  of  Frank  Moran's  Minstrels  in 
Philadelphia ;  he  was  likewise  with  several  of  the  other  prominent  companies  of 
his  time.     He  also  played  the  title  role  in  "Pomp"  and  star  roles  in  other  plays. 

Mr.  Budworth  was  best  known  for  his  imitations  of  actors,  in  which  he 
had  no  peer. 

As  a  banjoist  he  gained  renown,  and  played  with  equal  proficiency  the 
Japanese  and   Chinese  fiddle. 

As  a  Dutch  comedian  he  was  great ;  his  John  Schmidt  in  "The  Persecuted 
Dutchman"  at  the  Park  Theatre,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  in  1865,  received  lavish 
praise  from  press  and  public. 

James  Budworth  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  December  24,  1831 ;  he  died 
in  New  York  City,  March  15,   1875. 

Dick  Berthelon,  an  old-time  black-face  performer,  appeared  mostly  in 
variety  houses  for  many  years;  he  was  good  in  the  old-time  "nigger"  acts,  and 
was  proficient  as  a  manipulator  of  the  bones  and  tambourine. 

He  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  September  25,   1891 ;  age  60  years. 

Billy  Boyd  was  a  capable  minstrel  performer  of  the  old  school;  he  was 
with  Hunt  and  Company's  Minstrels  in  1855,  and  was  very  well-known  in 
Philadelphia,  where  he  was  born  in  1831  ;  he  died  in  New  York,  April  21,  1869. 

R.  M.  CARROJ.L,  or  "Dick"  as  he  is  better  known,  or  "Master  Marks"  as  he 
was  originally  known  to  the  profession,  probably  has  the  greatest  number  of 
years  of  theatrical  service  of  any  one  in  minstrelsy. 

Mr.  Carroll  is  best  remembered  as  a  dancer,  and  he  was  one  of  the  world's 
greatest;  but  in  his  early  career  he  was  a  splendid  wench  performer;  he  was 
the  third  one  to  do  "Lucy  Long" ;  a  great  feature  of  old-time  minstrelsy. 

Mr.  Carroll's  first  public  appearance  was  at  Tinkham  Hall  on  Grand 
Street,  New  York  City;  the  occasion  was  the  benefit  of  an  elderly  Irish  lady, 
long  since  departed — this  was  in  1837.  For  many  years  he  danced  at  balls  and 
parties.  About  1845  he  first  appeared  professionally  at  the  Bowery  Amphithea- 
tre, New  York  City,  in  a  circus,  and  shortly  after  this  at  the  Bowery  Theatre 
he  blacked  up  for  the  first  time  with  "Daddy"  Rice,  playing  in  "Bone  Squash." 

The  year  following  he  played  his  initial  minstrel  engagement  with  Charley 
White's  Company,  also  in  New  .York ;  he  remained  with  White  several  seasons. 

In  1854  he  was  with  Buckleys  Serenaders  in  New  York;  in  1858  with  Snif- 
fen's  Campbell's  Minstrels,  likewise  in  the  metropolis. 

February  14,  1859,  he  made  his  first  appearance  as  a  member  of  Morris 
Bros.,  Pell  and  Trowbridge's  Minstrels  in  Boston,  where  he  became  a  great 
favorite,  remaining  about  three  years. 

In  his  long  career  Mr.  Carroll  played  with  many  prominent  minstrel  or- 
ganizations, notably  Kelly  and  Leon's ;  at  Hooley's,  at  the  latter's  theatre  in 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  with  little  Dick,  his  son,  he  began  an  engagement  there  March 

14,  1870.  _  .  »     . 

Subsequently  with  Dick,  Jr.,  and  Dick's  brothers,  Edwin  and  BJRnie,  they 
played   for  several  years  in  the  principal  variety  theatres  of  the  country. 


82  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

In  September,  1878,  he  opened  Carroll's  Comique,  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and 
several  weeks  later,  with  his  sons,  began  an  engagement  with  Cotton  and  Wag- 
ner's Minstrels.  It  may  be  interesting  to  know  that  Mr.  Carroll  and  the  late 
J.  K.  (Fritz)  Emmett,  had  a  minstrel  show  on,ce ;  Carroll  and  Emmett's  Min- 
strels opened  at  De  Bar's  Opera  House,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  June  i,   1868. 

R.  M.  Carroll  and  John  Queen  (afterwards  Queen  and  West),  were  the 
first  to  do  a  double  clog  dance,  about  1862.  Mr.  Carroll  likewise  originated 
the  famous  song  "Me  Father  Sold  Charcoal." 

His  sons,  Bennie  and  Edwin,  died  in  New  York  City,  September  18,  1877, 
and  at  Denver,  Colo.,  March  5,   1905,  respectively. 

Mr.  Carroll  played  the  variety  houses  for  several  years  with  his  well  known 
dancing   specialty   "Mortar   and   Bricks." 

R.  M.. Carroll  was  born  in  New  York  City  April  10,  1832. 

W.  L.  HoBBS,  the  well  known  minstrel  "leader"  was  associated  with  Frank 
Moran's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia  in  1872;  he  was  also  with  Carncross  and 
Dixey's  Company  in  the  same  city,  and  for  several  seasons  was  connected  with 
Bryant's  Minstrels  in   New  York. 

W.  L.  Hobbs  died  in  Philadelphia,  July  12,  1874;  age  45  years. 

Bob  Hall,  who  had  been  connected  with  many  minstrel  companies  during 
his  long  career,  and  who  had  also  been  with  Harrigan  and  Hart,  died  in  Balti- 
more, Md.,  June  29,   1882 ;  age  50  years. 

Andrew  Wyatt,  an  old-time  minstrel  leader,  who  was  with  Sanford's 
Minstrels  in  Philadelphia  as  early  as  1856,  and  for  eight  years  prior  to  his  death 
with  Whitmore  and  Clark's  Minstrels,  died  in  Salem,  Mass.,  August  5,  1874; 
age  41   years. 

A.  M.  Hernandez  was  famous  as  a  pantomimist  and  acrobat ;  but  it  was 
as  a  guitarist  and  vocalist  he  was  best  known;  he  was  capabile  of  playing  prac- 
tically  every  known   instrument. 

In  1852  he  was  with  Hayworth  and  Horton's  variety  show  doing  a  knife 
throwing  act.  The  following  year  he  was  with  Parrow's  Minstrels  and  sub- 
sequently with  Matt.  Peel's  and  Sniffen's  Campbell's  Minstrels. 

Mr.  Hernandez  was  born  in  Havana,  Cuba ;  he  died  in  Montevideo,  Uru- 
guay, S.  A.,  October  25,  1874. 

J.  B.  Studley,  the  famous  old  legitimate  actor,  played,  "Pomp,  or  Cudijos 
Cave"  in  New  York,  April  11.  1864,  and  in  the  same  city  played  Uncle  Tom, 
in  Uncle  Tom's  Cabin,  October  20,  1879. 

Mr.  Studley  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  October  8,  1832;  he  died  in  New 
York,  August  6,  1910. 

John  S.  Cox,  the  old-time  minstrel  leader  of  Simmons  and  Slocum's  in 
Philadelphia,  and  other  well  known  companies,  died  in  August,  1902;  age  70 
years. 

John  P.  Smith,  familiarly  known  as  "Cully"  Smith,  began  his  professional 
career  as  a  member  of  old  Joe  Sweeney's  Company  in  1845  J  he  was  then  Mas- 
ter Smith. 


FROM  -DADDY-  RICE  TO  DATE.  83 

In  1850  he  was  with  the  "Old  Dominion"  Minstrels,  playing  the  bones, 
imder  the  name  of  "John  P.  Weston"  ;  subsequently  he  was  with  Parrow's  Min- 
strels, and  Smith  and  Hernandez  Minstrels.  Later  he  was  identified  with  the 
liuckley's,  and  George  Christy's  Minstrels  in  an  executive  capacity,  and  of 
recent  years  was  associated  in  a  like  manner  with  several  prominent  legitimate 
attractions. 

John  P.  Smith  was  born  in  Richmond,  \'a.,  August  3,  1832;  he  died  in  New 
York  City,  November   12,   1897. 


SwAVNE  Buckley,  Roli.\  Howarp,  Edvvi.n  Hol.mes,  Billy  Hart  axd  G.  W. 
H.  Griffin,  all  died  within  thirty  days  in  1879. 


Mrs.  J.  T.  Huntley  was  the  grand-daughter  of  the  late  Colonel  Jacob 
Deems,  a  prominent  figure  of  old  Baltimore. 

She  became  the  wife  of  the  famous  Matt.  Peel  just  one  year  before  the 
latter's  death ;  subscciucntly  she  married  J.  T.  Huntley,  another  old-time  min- 
strel. 

After  Matt.  Peel's  demise.  Airs.  Peel,  a  few  months  later  re-organized  the 
company,  and  as  Airs.  Alatt.  Peel's  Minstrels,  she  conducted  its  affairs  success- 
fully for  several  seasons. 

As  Mrs.  Peel  she  also  had  the  additional  distinction  of  being  the  first  woman 
that  ever  sold  tickets  for  a  minstrel  show ;  this  was  more  than  fifty  years  ago, 
when  the  companies  played  in  halls,  and  carried  their  own  treasurers. 

Mrs.  Huntley  is  living,  active,  and  is  happy  in  the  thought  that  she  is  earn- 
ing her  own   livelihood. 

Mrs.  J.  T.  Huntley  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  August  4,    1832. 

Eon  Hart  (James  M.  Sutherland)  famous  as  a  stump  speaker,  made  his 
professional  debut  at  "444"  Broadway,  New  York,  in  1859;  prior  to  this  he  had 
been  a  Methodist  minister. 

In  1863  with  Lew  Simmons  he  was  proprietor  of  Hart  and  Simmons'  Min- 
strels ;  he  was  abso  prominently  identified  with  the  San  Francisco  Minstrels  in 
New  York;  Bryant's,  in  the  same  city;  Emerson  and  Manning's  in  Chicago, 
and  subsequently,  in   187 1,  with   Manning's  Minstrels,  also  in  Chicago. 

His  last  appearance  in  minstrelsy  was  with  Dan  Bryant's  company  in  1875. 
In  1878  he  again  took  up  evangelical  work  and  continued  at  it  until  his  death. 

Bob  Hart  was  born  in  New  York  State,  February  9,  1832;  he  died  (suicide) 
in  New  York  City,  April  6,   1888. 

John  Sivori  (Wheeler)  who  was  one  of  the  original  Bryant's  Minstrels 
of  February  23,  1857,  in  New  York  City,  and  was  for  several  years  associated 
with  them ;  gave  up  the  profession  many  years  ago,  and  is  said  to  have  become 
a  doctor  or  dentist. 

He  was   reported  dead  about  ten  years  back. 

John  B.  Donniker  was  one  of  the  oldest  as  well  as  the  best  "leaders"  in 
minstrelsy. 

He  was  associated  with  many  of  the  famous  organizations,  including  some 
of  his  own.     In  1854  he  was  "leader"  with  Ordway's  Aeolians  in  Boston;  sub- 


84  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

sequently  he  went  to  California,  and  while  there  was  one  of  the  proprietors  of 
Birch    (Billy)    and    Donniker's    Minstrels,    1859. 

In  1861  he  was  with  "Eugene"  and  Unsworth,  proprietor  of  Unsworth's 
Minstrels.  In  1862  he  had  a  half  interest  in  Arlington  (Billy)  and  Donniker's 
Minstrels;  and  in  1865  he  was  associated  with  Burgess  ("Cool"),  Prendergast 
(Tom),    Hughes    (Archie)    and    Donniker's    Minstrels. 

He  was  with  Morris  Bros.,  Pell  and  Trowbridge,  in  Boston,  and  with  Bry- 
ant's, and  Wood  and  Christy's  in  New  York ;  likewise  for  several  seasons  was 
he  intermittently  with  the  famous  San  Francisco  Minstrels,  also  in  New  York. 

In  the  late  70's  he  was  engaged  as  leader  at  the  London  Theatre,  New  York 
City,  remaining  a   few  seasons. 

Of  late  years,  having  lost  the  use  of  his  arm,  he  took  pupils,  giving  lessons 
on  the  violin. 

John  B.  Donniker  died  at  Pcnn  Yan,  N.  Y.,  July  17,  1902;  age  69  years. 

ToxY  P.VSTOR  (Antonio  Pastorius),  during  his  long  career  as  manager  in 
New  York  City,  occupied  three  different  theatres,  each  of  which  had  previously 
been  used  by  a  permanent  minstrel  company. 

Mr.   Pastor's  early  days,  about  1846-47,  were  spent  as  a  minstrel. 

Tony  Pastor  was  born  in  New  York,  May  28,  1832 ;  he  died  at  Elmhurst, 
L.  I.,  N.  Y.,  August  26,  1908. 

"Hank"  (Azro)  White,  a  famous  old-time  minstrel,  had  been  in  the  pro- 
fession about  forty  years;  twenty-five  of  which  were  spent  with  Whitmore  and 
Clark's   Minstrels. 

He  died  in  Windsor,  \'t.,  February   14,   1900;  age  68  years. 

Walter  Birch  (Smith),  was  a  well-known  tenor  vocalist  with  Christy's 
Minstrels  in  1862  and  1865  ;' in  1363  he  was  with  Horn  and  Newcomb's  Min- 
strels,    He  was  likewise  associated  with  several  operatic  companies. 

He  died  in  Jersey  City,  N.  J.,  January  29,  1880;  age  47  years. 

Johnny  Pell  (Gavin),  a  prominent  young  comedian,  spent  the  best  part 
of  his  professional  career  in  Boston.  His  first  appearance  was  with  Charley 
White's  company  in  New  York  in  the  early  50's. 

In  1854  he  went  to  Boston,  and  became  a  member  of  Ordway's  Aeolians, 
remaining  until  1857,  when  in  conjunction  with  Lon  and  Billy  Morris  and  J.  T. 
Huntley,  they  organized  a  company  bearing  their  names ;  about  two  years  later 
it  was  known  as  Morris  Bros.,  Pell  and  Trowbridge's  Minstrels,  and  as  such 
continued  until  the  demise  of  Mr.  Pell. 

Two  days  prior  to  his  death,  he  married  Miss  Moore,  of  Boston. 
■Johnny  Pell  died  in  Boston,  Mass.,  January  24,   1866;  age  33  years.     He 
was  born  in  New  York. 

Geo.  M.  Clark  entered  the  field  -of  minstrelsy  about  i860;  subsequently 
with  his  partner  he  organized  Whitmore  and  Clark's  Minstrels,  and  traveled 
successfully  for  many  years. 

He  was  born  in  1833,  and  died  in  Felchville,  Vt.,  June  6,  1885. 


BYRON    CHRISTY 


HUGHEV   nnrr.IIERTY 


JAMES  UNSWORTH 


HARRY   PELL 


FRANK   MORAN 


BOB.    HART 


BILLY    RICHARDSON 


FRANK   BELL 


LEW    BENEDICT 


ORATORS  OF  THE  OLD  DAYS. 


86  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Charles  Petrie  was  one  of  the  old  time  banjoists,  and  one  of  the  first  to 
open  a  variety  theatre  in  Chicago. 

He  was  associated  with  the  minstrel  companies  of  Arlington,  Kelly,  Leon 
and  Donniker,  Lew  Benedict's  and  others. 

He  was  born  in  Lockport,  N.  Y.,  in  1833;  he  died  in  Dallas,  Texas,  No- 
vember 12,  i88i. 

J.  E.  Green  was  known  as  "Mocking  Bird  Green,"  from  the  fact  that  he 
was  so  long  identified  with  singing  of  the  song  of  that  name,  and  whistling  imi- 
tations of  same.  He  entered  the  profession  about  1856,  as  a  member  of  the 
minstrel  firm  of  Shorey.  Carle,  Duprez  and  Green ;  subsequently  it  became  Du- 
prez  and  Green's  Minstrels,  and  continued  until  1865  under  that  trade-mark, 
when  he  sold  his  interest  to  Lew  Benedict.  He  subsequently  had  several  com- 
panies of  his  own  and  was  associated  in  another  with  "Hop  Light  Loo"  Charley 
Gardner. 

At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  musical  director  with  Archie  White's  "Du- 
prez and  Benedict's"   Minstrels. 

J.  E.  Green  was  born  in  Portsmouth,  X.  H.,  April  9,  1833 ;  he  died  in  New 
York,  November  30,  1886. 

Billy  Wray,  the  father  of  Mrs.  John  Wild,  was  one  of  the  most  versatile 
of  performers ;  as  an  end  man  and  stump  speaker  he  excelled ;  he  was  likewise 
a  clever  magician. 

With  his  wife  (Louise  Payne)  and  daughter,  Ada,  already  referred  to,  he 
traveled   in    1862,   giving  an   entire  performance  by  themselves. 

Billy  Wray  was  born  in  New  York,  July  25,  1833;  he  was  lost  in  the  wreck 
of  the  Steamer  "Evening  Star"  between  New  York  and  New  Orleans,  October 
3,   1866. 

E.  Freeman  Dixey — his  was  a  household  word  in  Philadelphia,  where 
practically  his  whole  professional  career,  and  the  major  portion  of  his  life  was 
spent. 

His  first  engagement  was  in  Boston,  at  the  age  of  eighteen ;  subsequently 
he  went  to  Philadelphia,  and  opened  there  at  Cartee's  Lyceum,  the  present  site 
of  the  nth  Street  Opera  House,  with  the  Julien  Serenaders,  December  4,  1854. 

On  April  23,  1855,  the  house  was  opened  as  Sanford's  Opera  House,  by 
Sam  Sanford,  and  Mr.  Dixey  was  a  member  of  the  company,  and  continued 
with  Sanford  until  the  latter  drew  away  from  its  management,  April  14,  1862, 
when  Mr.  Dixey  and  Mr.  Carncross  opened  it  under  the  name  of  Carncross 
and  Dixey's  Minstrels;  Robert  Simpson  was  the  financial  man.  The  firm  of 
Carncross  and  Dixey  continued  until  June  17,  1871  ;  Mr.  Carncross  retiring  on 
that  date. 

October  2,  1871,  Mr.  Dixey  in  conjunction  with  Frank  Moran  opened  the 
house  as  Moran  and  Dixey's  Minstrels.  The  second  season  commenced  August 
26,  1872,  and  on  September  24,  Mr.  Dixey  retired  from  the  firm.  September 
I,  1873,  again  saw  Carncross  and  Dixey's  Minstrels  installed;  they  continued 
until  March  16,  1878;  after  a  supplemental  tour  that  terminated  May  11,  1878, 
Mr.  Dixey  retired  to  private  life. 

Mr.  Dixey  was  one  of  minstrelsy's  greatest  bone  players,  and  in  his  earlier 
days  he  excelled  in  the  delineation  of  wench  characters. 


FROM  ••DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  87 

He  was  a  student  of  the  negro,  as  well  as  a  student  in  private  life;  a  gifted, 
intellectual,  cultured  gentleman  was  Edward   Freeman  Dixey. 

E.  Freeman  Dixey  was  born  in  Marblehead,  Mass.,  July  29,  1833 ;  he  died 
in  Philadelphia,  March  2,   1904. 

Max  Irwin  was  a  well-known  comedian,  stump  orator  and  general  per- 
former. 

In  1858  and   1859  he  was  a  member  of  Matt.  Peel's  Minstrels. 

In  the  latter  year  he  also  played  variety  engagements  with  "Young  Amer- 
ica" (E.  Richardson).  May  16,  1859,  he  married  Gussie  Lamoreux,  the  well- 
known   dancer,   in   Philadelphia. 

Mr.  Irwin  who  was  at  one  time  known  as  P.  Maxey,  was  born  in  Cincin- 
nati, O. ;  he  died  in  Adelaide,  Aus.,  August  9,  1864;  age  33  years. 

Add.  Weaver  (Addison  Weaver),  was  one  of  the  real  old-time  minstrel 
comedians. 

It  is  said  he  entered  the  profession  in  1845.  In  1858  he  was  with  the  Met- 
ropolitan Minstrels;  in  1861  with  Mrs.  Matt.  Peel's  Minstrels,  and  in  1863,  in 
conjunction  with  Charley  Morris,  was  proprietor  of  the  Morris  Minstrels.  In 
the  6o's.  and  for  several  years,  he  did  sketches  with  Master  Barney;  subse- 
quently he  had  many  pupils  who  were  known  as  Master  Add.  Weaver;  one  of 
these  was  Fred  Hallen. 

In  the  fall  of  1876  he  succeeded  Lew  Dockstader  in  the  management  of  the 
Adelphi,  formerly  Newton's  Varieties,  in  Hartford,  Conn. 

Add.  Weaver  was  a  good  end  man,  and  was  noted  for  his  stump  speeches. 
The  writer's  last  recollection  of  the  vereran  minstrel  was  with  "The  House  With 
Green  Blinds,"  at  the  Walnut  Street  Theatre,  Philadelphia,  about  September, 
1893  '■  he  appeared  in  the  initial  production  in  a  black-face  part,  but  only  played 
one  or  two  performances,  when  he  was  succeeded  by  the  author,  Scott  Marble. 

On  July  22,  1887,  he  was  married  to  Mrs.  Abigail  F.  Harris,  in  New  York 
City. 

Add.  Weaver  was  born  in  Cattaraugus  County,  New  York,  about  1833 ;  he 
died  in  Staten  Island,  N.  Y.,  February  2,   1903. 

Johnny  De  Angelis  was  one  of  the  early  black-face  performers  in  Cali- 
fornia. He  was  well-known  as  a  good  general  comedian  in  San  Francisco, 
where  he  played  many  years. 

He  was  the  father  of  Jeff  De  Angelis,  the  present  light  opera  star. 

Johnny  De  Angelis  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  about  1833 ;  he  died  in  San 
Francisco,  Cal.,  December  25,  1877. 

Dan  Bryant  (Daniel  Webster  O'Brien).  The  profound  esteem  in  which 
this  black-face  comedian  was  held  can  be  told  in  no  better  way  than  in  citing 
the  fact  that  within  three  weeks  of  the  date  of  his  death,  the  entire  theatrical 
profession  in  New  York  City  gave  no  less  than  eleven  testimonial  benefits  in 
as  many  different  theatres  in  the  Metropolis  on  the  afternoon  of  April  29,  1875  ; 
for  Dan  Bryant's  hand  was  ever  in  his  pocket  for  those  less  fortunate  than  him- 
self, and  no  one  ever  appealed  to  him  in  vain ;  he  was  a  lovely  character,  was 
Dan  Bryant — and  yet  his  grave  remains  unmarked ;  so  it  is  said. 

His  first  appearance  was  in  New  York  City  in  1845  ^t  Vauxhall  Garden, 


88  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

at  his  brother  Jerry's  benefit;  he  was  with  various  companies  until  1848,  when 
he  joined  Losee's  Minstrels ;  subsequently  he  was  with  the  Sable  Harmonists, 
and  in  1850  he  joined  Charley  White's  company  in  New  York,  remaining  a  year. 

Next  he  appeared  with  Wood  and  Fellowe's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  and 
when  Mr.  Fellowe  withdrew,  he  continued  with  Henry  Wood's  Minstrels,  sam'' 
city ;  he  was  with  them  as  late  as  July,  1852. 

Later  he  joined  Campbell's  Minstrels,  and  in  the  Summer  of  1856,  he  man- 
aged Bryant's  "Campbell's"  Minstrels ;  in  September,  same  year,  he  made  a  pro- 
nounced hit  in  Philadelphia,  and  on  February  23,  1857,  Bryant's  Minstrels  gave 
their  first  performance  in  New  York  City,  at  Mechanic's  Hall;  their  last  appear- 
ance there  was  Junr  2,  1866. 

August  10,  1867,  Dan  Bryant  and  his  Minstrels  sailed  for  California;  they 
played  in  San  Francisco  under  the  management  of  Tom  Maguire ;  they  remained 
away  until  May  18,  1868,  when  they  opened  at  the  Tammany  Building  (present 
Olympic  Theatre),  New  York  City;  Bryant's  Minstrels  ne.xt  home  was  on  23rd 
Street,  above  6th  Avenue;  they  opened  there  November  23,  1870,  and  continued 
until  Dan  Bryant's  death. 

While  Dan  Bryant's  name  and  fame  will  go  down  to  posterity  as  a  min- 
strel, yet  he  was  recognized  as  a  fine  Irish  comedian.  At  a  benefit  performance 
for  William  R.  Floyd  in  New  York,  July  2,  1863,  Mr.  Bryant  gave  a  perform- 
ance of  Handy  Andy  in  the  play  of  that  name,  the  equal  of  which  had  not  been 
seen  in  some  time,  and  during  the  Summer  seasons  for  several  years  played  in 
various  Irish  dramas  with  success;  in  May,  1865,  he  sailed  for  Europe,  and  in 
Dublin,  Ireland,  and  Liverpool,  England,  he  gave  several  performances  of  Celtic 
characters. 

Although  a  good  general  performer,  Dan  Bryant's  chief  fame  rests  in  his 
"Essence  of  Old  Virginny"  dance;  it  is  not  claimed  that  he  originated  it,  but 
it  is  universally  conceded  that  he  excelled  all  others  in  it's  execution ;  he  like- 
wise gained  prominence  in  the  famous  "Shoo  Fly"  song  and  dance  with  Dave 
Reed. 

It  has  been  shown  that  Dan  Bryant  was  an  actor  in  white-face ,  but  that  he 
equally  was  an  actor  behind  his  mask  of  cork,  I  submit  the  following  from 
Harper's  Magazine,  written  a  few  years  before  the  lamented  minstrel's 
death.     *     *     * 

"Edwin  Forrest  was  never  weary  of  seeing  Dan  Bryant  play  the  part  of  the 
hungry  negro  in  "Old  Times,  Rocks,"  and  the  verdict  of  the  great  pla3'er 
was  that  there  was  not  a  finer  bit  of  tragic  acting  to  be  seen  in  America  at 
that  time  than  Dan  in  this  broadly  funny  bit.  Who  that  remembers  the 
performance  need  be  told  how  tears  were  constantly  checking  laughter  in 
this  little  scene  of  the  black  man's  suffering  through  hunger,  and  how  one's 
sympathies  were  irresistibly  wrung  by  the  pathos  of  the  minstrel's  voice 
when,  on  being  questioned  as  to  when  he  had  eaten  a  square  real,  he  an- 
swered, humbly  T  had  a  peanut  last  week.'  It  was  side-splitting — it  was 
heartbreaking." 

Mr.  Bryant  married  Miss  Ellen  Fitzgibbons  of  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  in  that 
city,  July  29,  i860. 

Dan  Bryant  was  born  in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  May  9,  1833 !  1''^  died  in  New  York 
City,  April  10,  1875. 


BEN.    COTTON 


TOM.    WATERS 


BARRY    MAXWELL 


HARRY    G.    RICHMOND 


CHAS.    iu.   tRNEST  NEIL.    ROGERS 

STUDIES  IN  BLACK  AND  WHITE. 


go  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

John  Hart,  jolly  "fat"  John  Hart,  as  he  was  universally  known,  first  ap- 
peared professionally  in  1854  as  a  member  of  Eisenbeice's  Minstrels;  the 
company  stranded  in  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  and  that  was  the  end  of  Eisenbeice. 

Some  time  later  he  was  stock  comedian  at  Trimble's  Varieties  in  Pitts- 
burg, Pa. 

His  first  New  York  appearance  was  at  Josh  Hart's  Comique  in  1869. 
In  1871,  Hart,  Ryman  and  Barney's  Minstrels  were  organized. 

Mr.  Hart  also  was  with  Haverly  ;  Kelly  and  Leon ;  Morris  Bros.,  and 
other  first-class  minstrel  companies. 

In  1888  he  was  the  original  Hiram  Pepper  in  the  "Two  Sisters"  Com- 
pany. 

In  September,  1887,  he  was  one  of  the  organizers  of  (Wm.  Henry)  Rice, 
Hart  and  (Add)  Ryman's  Minstrels. 

He  toured  with  the  "Two  Johns"  for  three  years. 

John  Hart  was  screamingly  funny  in  the  old-time  nigger  acts  he  used  to 
do  with  Arthur  Moreland  at  various  times. 

He  also  played  an  engagement  with  Augustin  Daly  in  the  play  of  the 
"Royal  Middy." 

John  Hart  was  born  in  Monongahela  City,  Pa.,  July  10,  1833 ;  he  died  in 
New  York  City,  June  4,  1904. 

J.  G.  H.  Shorey  was  one  of  the  early  minstrel  proprietors  and  comedians. 

The  first  record  of  Mr.  Shorey's  career  as  a  black-face  performer  was  in 
his  father's  barn  at  the  age  of  nine  years ;  pins  were  the  admission  fee,  and  it 
is  said  that  no  one  ever  complained  of  being  stuck.  A  few  years  later  he 
joined  a  dramatic  company,  and  later  a  circus ;  after  that  came  Shorey's 
Southern  Minstrels. 

In  the  middle  50's  he  formed  an  alliance  with  Duprez,  Carle  and  Green, 
playing  for  a  few  seasons  under  the  firm  name.  In  later  years  he  was  iden- 
tified with  several  prominent  organizations  in  an  executive  capacity,  as  well 
as  playing  the  variety  theatres. 

Mr.  Shorey  is,  reputed  to  have  been  the  proprietor  of  the  first  Dime 
Museum  ever  opened  in  Boston. 

J.  G.  H.  Shorey  was  born  in  Great  Falls,  N.  H.,  April  10,  1833 ;  he  died  in 
Lynn,  Mass.,  May  23,  1886. 

Charles  F.  Shattuck  was  one  of  the  oldest  and  most  noted  of  minstrel 
bassos.  He  was  the  author  of  the  song,  "One  Hundred  Fathoms  Deep,"  and 
had  made  many  beautiful  minstrel  arrangements. 

He  had  been  associated  with  such  well-known  minstrel  organizations 
as  Newcomb's ;  Buckley's ;  Simmons  and  Slocum's ;  Geo.  Wilson's  and  nu- 
merous others.  Mr.  Shattuck  died  in  New  York,  November  29,  1905 ;  age 
69  years. 

Ned  Davis  was  an  old-time  comedian ;  it  was  his  company,  known  as  the 
Olio  Minstrels,  that  were  the  first  to  perform  on  the  steamer  "Banjo,"  giving 
their  first  performance  at  Lawrfenceburg,  Miss.,  October,  1855.  Mr.  Davis 
traveled  with  his  minstrel  company  for  many  years,  also  appearing  with 
other  companies  at  times,  notably  Campbell's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  with 
whom  he  opened  July  6,  1863. 

He  died  at  Mott  Haven  (New  York  City)  June  29,  1872 ;  age  48  years. 


FROM  "DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  91 

Edwin  Booth,  the  great  American  tragedian,  in  1850,  at  the  court-house  in 
his  native  town,  gave  an  entertainment  in  which  he  blackened  his  face  and 
sang  negro  songs,  accompanied  by  the  banjo  and  bones.     This  was  one  year 

.  after  his  dramatic  debut  in  Boston. 

f  Edwin   P>ooth  was  born  in  Belair,  Md.,  November  13,  1833;  he  died  in 

New  York  City,  June  7,  1893. 

Tom  Leslie,  once  promment  as  a  bass  singer  with  Morris  Bros.,  Pell  and 
Trowbridge's  Minstrels  m  Boston,  was  the  father  of  Eddie  and  Joe  Leslie; 
the  former,  well  known  as  a  mimetic  comedian,  and  the  latter  long  associated 
with  Cohan  and  Harris'  attractions. 

Mr.  Leslie  was  born  in  Halifax,  Nova  Scotia,  December  29,  1833 ;  he 
died  in  Boston,  Mass.,  June  6,  1899. 

Ch.^rley  Lewis,  an  old-time  comedian  who  was  with  William  Christy's 
Minstrels  in  i860,  and  who  married  Miss  O'Keefe,  of  Portage  City,  Wis.,  at 
Milwaukee,  July  20,  1861  ;  died  at  Portage  Lake,  Wis.,  November  28,  1864; 
age  31  years. 

John  H.  Duley  was  a  well-known  comedian  half  a  century  ago;  his  "Old 
Bob  Ridley"  is  said  to  have  compared  favorably  with  the  best  performances  of 
that  favorite  old-time  act. 

He  had  been  with  Hooley  and  Campbell's  Minstrels  in  New  York  in 
1861,  and  went  to  England  with  Rumscy  and  Newcomb's  Company  that  same 
year. 

July  10,  1859,  he  married  Mrs.  Mattie  Robinson,  an  actress. 

John  H.  Duley  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  1834;  he  died  in  London, 
England,  May  31,  1864. 

Fr.\nk  Hussev  was  a  well-known  comedian  and  versatile  performer. 

His  operations  were  chiefly  confined  to  California  and  foreign  countries. 

His  first  appearance  was  with  a  minstrel  company  known  as  the  "Sable 
Brothers,"  in  1848.  There  is  practically  no  country  on  the  globe  that  Hussey 
has  not  appeared  in. 

He  was  born  in  Nantucket,  Mass.,  October  26,  1834:  he  was  last  heard 
of  as  a  member  of  Leslie's  Anglo-American  Minstrels  in  Africa,  July  30,  1883. 

Billy  Cii.vmbers.  an  old-time  banjoist  and  comedian,  was  with  Sam  Sharp- 
ley's  Minstrels,  in  1865.  and  played  his  last  engagement,  about  1870,  with  Sam 
Sanford ;  he  died  in  Philadelphia,  September  7,  1879 ;  age  45  years. 

Harry  Robinson  (Bishop),  famous  in  minstrelsy  as  the  "Man  With  the 
Silver  Horns,"  came  to  the  L'nited  States  about  1861,  and  subsequently  ap- 
peared with  George  Wood's  IMinstrels  as  a  cornetist ;  later  he  was  with  Cal. 
Wagner's  Company. 

About  1870  he  organized  Harry  Robinson's  Minstrels,  and  toured  for 
several  seasons.     He  was  an  excellent  musician,  and  was  married  three  times. 

Mr.  Robinson  was  born  in  England;  he  died  (suicide)  at  Bloomington, 
111.,  May  5,  1889;  age  55  years. 


92  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Charles  L.  Church  was  a  prominent  balladist  of  the  6o's  and  70's. 

For  many  years  he  was  actively  associated  with  Sharpley's,  and  Morris 
Bros.  Minstrels. 

A  son  of  the  same  name  is  also  a  well-known  vocalist. 

He  was  born  in  England,  and  died  in  Cambridge,  Mass.,  June  4,  1910; 
age  76  years. 

James  Wambold  was  a  brother  of  Dave  Wambold,  and  achieved  prominence 
as  a  banjoist.  His  first  appearance  was  in  his  native  city  with  a  local  minstrel 
troupe  in  the  early  50's. 

Subsequently  he  played  on  the  "Floating  Palace";  Backus'  Minstrels, 
and  Mrs.  Matt.  Peel's  Minstrels,  in  1861. 

Mr.  Wambold  was  an  expert  whistler  and  gave  imitations  of  birds  and 
animals,  accompanied  by  the  banjo.  He  played  many  engagements  with  cir- 
cuses, and  it  was  while  with  one  of  these  in  the  Spring  of  1875  that  he  received 
injuries  that  compelled  his  retirement  from  the  profession. 

James  F.  Wambold  was  born  in  Newark,  N.  J.,  March  4,  1834;  he  died 
there  June  15,  1901. 

John  L.  Carncross,  famous  for  his  long  association  at  the  old  Eleventh 
Street  Opera  House  in  Philadelphia,  was  one  of  the  greatest  singers  in  min- 
strelsy ;  his  voice,  a  pure  tenor,  is  yet  recalled  by  many  of  the  old  residents 
of  the  Quaker  City.  Originally  he  appeared  at  the  various  concert  halls  in  his 
native  city  as  "Billy"  Warren. 

On  January  4,  1858,  he  made  his  first  appearance  with  Sanford's  Mins- 
trels at  the  latter's  theatre  in  Philadelphia.  Mr.  Carncross  continued  there 
until  the  Spring  of  i860,  when  the  season  having  closed,  with  Sam  Sharpley 
he  organized  Carncross  and  Sharpley 's  Minstrels  in  the  same  city  at  the  Con- 
tinental Theatre,  which  was  on  the  present  site  of  the  Casino  Theatre,  and 
gave  their  first  performance  August  22,  i860;  after  playing  a  few  weeks  they 
left  there  and  reappeared  October  i. 

April  14,  1862,  Mr.  Carncross  and  E.  F.  Dixey  opened  there  under  the 
firm  name  of  Carncross  and  Dixey 's  Minstrels,  and  continued  as  such  until 
April  18,  1871,  when  the  regular  season  closed;  this  was  followed  by  a  sup- 
plemental tour,  which  terminated  on  June  17,  on  which  date  Mr.  Carncross 
retired  from  the  firm,  and  entered  the  mercantile  business.  , 

Mr.  Dixey  subsequently  also  retired  from  the  company,  but  on  Septem- 
ber I,  1873,  Carncross  and  Dixey 's  Minstrels  again  opened. 

Dixey  retired  permanently  in  1878,  and  Mr.  Carncross  continued  there 
until  January  25,  1896,  as  Carncross'  Minstrels,  on  which  date  he  finally  retired 
to  private  life  at  his  residence  in  the  city  of  his  birth. 

John  L.  Carncross  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  about  1834. 

R.  Jean  Buckley  (Alexander  W.  Moody),  one  of  the  good  old-timers,  made 
his  first  appearance  at  the  old  Marshall  Theatre,  Richmond,  Va.,  in  October, 
1847,  as  a  ballad  singer.  The  following  year  he  joined  Joe  Sweeney's  Mins- 
trels, and  at  that  time  he  was  not  only  the  youngest  living  banjo  player,  but 
one  of  the  very  few  living  players. 

Mr.  Buckley  was  many  years  stage  manager  at  the  Odeon  Theatre,  Bal- 


J.  W.  RAYNOR 


JERRY  BRYANT 


CAMPBELL'S  MINSTRELS  (1848) 
The  original  company  was  organized  in  June,  1847.    Jerry  Bryant  and  J.  W. 
Raynor  were  two  of  the  original  company.     The  other  photos  represent  minstrel 
scenes  of  that  day. 


94  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

timore,  A-Id.,  and  for  twenty-two  years  he  was  associated  with  Tim  Morris, 
though  he  also  worked  with  some  of  the  best  comedians  in  the  country. 

While  Mr.  Buckley  was  probably  best  known  in  minstrelsy,  he  also  trav- 
eled extensively  with  several  prominent  dramatic  and  circus  organizations. 
He  is  a  skilled  general  musician,  but  was  well  known  for  his  performances  on 
the  banjo  and  guitar ;  as  an  interlocutor  and  "straight"  man,  he  ranked  high. 

Mr.  Buckley  retired  from  active  theatricals  in  1907,  after  sixty  years  of 
active  theatrical  life ;  truly  a  remarkable  record. 

R.  Jean  Buckley  was  born  in  Williamsburg,  Va.,  November  24,  1834. 

Billy  Carter  was  not  the  father  of  the  banjo,  but  he  adopted  it  at  an  early 
age,  and  has  had  it  in  his  possession  ever  since.  ' 

Mr.  Carter  first  appeared  in  New  Orleans  as  a  performer,  in  the  early  6o's; 
he  did  black  and  white-face  business  at  three  dollars  per  evening,  which  wasn't 
bad  for  a  raw  amateur.  In  1865  your  Uncle  Bill  sat  in  the  middle  and  played 
the  banjo  with  the  Louisiana  Serenaders ;  this  was  his  first  minstrel  troupe, 
and  "Codfish  Aristocracy"  was  the  soul-inspiring  ballad  that  stirred  his 
auditors. 

After  the  afTair  in  which  he  sang  about  the  "Finny  400,"  he  joined  the  Great 
Western  Opera  BoufTe  Company ;  this  sounded  good  enough  for  a  four  years 
engagement,  but  the  truth  of  the  matter  is,  it  flopped  in  Lynchburg,  Va.,  in 
nearly  four  years  less  than  that  time;  subsequently  Mr.  Carter  and  dear  de- 
parted Luke  Schoolcraft  (who  was  a  member  of  the  company)  arrived  in 
Philadelphia  in  somewhat  distressed  financial  circumstances ;  fortunately  our 
banjo  comique  had  a  relative  in  the  Quaker  City;  an  uncle,  I  believe,  and  hunt- 
ing him  up,  he  took  a  violin  and  showed  it  to  him.  *  *  *  "With  this  85 
cents  they  arrived  in  New  York  (Mr.  Great  Western  had  considerately  pur- 
chased transportation  to  the  metropolis),  and  shortly  after,  he  secured  an  en- 
gagement at  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  where  he  met  with  instant 
success. 

His  next  important  minstrel  engagement  was  with  Simmons  and  Slo- 
cum  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  opened  February  16,  1874.  In  1878  he  joined 
Haverly's  Minstrels  in  Chicago ;  two  years  later  he  engaged  with  the  latter's 
Mastodons  for  the  London  invasion,  but  William  was  a  bad  sailor,  and  at  the 
last  minute  renigged.  Subsequently  he  appeared  with  Thatcher,  Primrose 
and  West's  and  with  Barlow,  Wilson  &  Company's  Minstrels. 

Mr.  Carter  was  several  years  with  Harrigan  and  Hart's  Company  in  New 
York ;  with  this  company  he  originated  the  famous  "Skidmore  Guards,"  that 
had  such  a  vogue  for  a  long  time.  He  has  played  all  the  principal  variety  houses, 
and  most  of  the  prominent  vaudeville  theatres.  Will  somebody  please  notice  this 
nice  distinction? 

Billy  Carter  was  born  at  Parish  St.  Bernard,  La.,  December  16,  1834. 

Fred  Abbott,  a  well-known  and  clever  female  impersonator,  associated  for 
several  seasons  with  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  Chicago,  and  the  road 
tours ;  died  in  Boston,  Mass.,  May  28,  1871  ;  age  37  years. 

Tim.  Morris,  an  old-time  performer  who  achieved  recognition  for  his 
delineation  of  the  plantation  "dark)',"  was  with  many  minstrel  troupes  prior 
to  his  death  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  March  6,  1880.  He  was  about  46  years 
of  age. 


FROM  "DADDY-  RICE  TO  DATE.  95 

"Fatty"  Stewart  (J.  S.  Crossy)  famed  for  many  years  as  one  of  the 
original  "Two  Johns,"  made  his  first  professional  appearance  in  New  York  in 
1848  as  a  comic  singer. 

About  two  years  later  he  was  a  member  of  the  Sable  Harmonists.  In 
1854  he  launched  Stewart's  Minstrels;  and  in  1873  he  played  an  engagement 
with  Sam  Hague's  Minstrels  in  Liverpool,  England.  Mr.  Stewart  was  the 
author  of  many  black  face  sketches,  all  of  which  have  had  considerable 
vogue.  He  also  built  or  managed  several  theatres,  notably  in  St.  Louis, 
Providence  and  Philadelphia.  Mr.  Stewart  died  in  St.  Louis,  AIo.,  May  23, 
1905  ;  age  71  years. 

John  Paul  Crocker  was  one  of  the  proprietors  of  Moore,  Crocker,  Ritter 
and  Hamilton's  Minstrels,  who  gave  their  first  performance  at  Chester,  Eng- 
land, November  14,  1864. 

Mr.  Crocker  was  a  good  comedian  and  well  liked  personally;  he  con- 
tinued as  a  partner  of  the  organization  up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

John  Paul  Crocker  was  born  in  the  United  States ;  he  died  in  London, 
England,  December  17,  1869;  age  35  years. 

Aynsley  Cooke,  who  was  well  and  favorably  known  in  operatic  circles, 
was  a  prominent  singer  with  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York  City  in  1861. 

He  was  born  in  London,  England ;  he  died  in  Liverpool,  England,  Feb- 
ruary 16,  1894;  age  60  years. 

Frank  Wells  (Bernard  Mundy)  was  a  well-known  and  capable  female 
impersonator. 

He  was  for  a  long  time  with  Morris  and  Wilson's  Minstrels  in  St.  I^ouis, 
also  with  Charley  Morris  and  Add  Weaver's  Company,  in  1863;  later  he  was 
with  LaRue's  Minstrels. 

He  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  April  25,  1874;  age  39  years. 

D.  C.  LaRue,  a  well-known  minstrel  manager,  who  had  his  own  companies 
in  the  6o's,  and  during  the  same  period  was  associated  in  minstrel  ventures 
with  J.  B.  Donniker,  Tom  Prendergast,  Archie  Hughes  and  Cool  Burgess, 
died  in  Charleston,  S.  C,  March  15,  1875;  age  about  40  years. 

"Hank"  Goodman,  the  old-time  comedian,  was  a  member  of  Gorton's  New 
Orleans  Minstrels  for  many  years. 

In  1887  he  retired,  and  later  assumed  the  management  of  Goodman's 
Opera  House  in  Friendship,  N.  Y.,  continuing  there  until  his  death,  which 
occurred  in  that  city  May  14,  1908. 

Nelse  Seymour  (Thos.  Nelson  Sanderson),  made  his  first  appearance  in 
his  native  city  as  a  clown  in  a  circus.  His  initial  black-face  appearance  was 
in  the  same  city  in  1861  as  a  member  of  Kunkel's  "Nightingales,"  a  promi- 
nent minstrel  organization,  with  whom  he  remained  the  season. 

The  following  year  he  joined  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York ;  January 
26  following  he  opened  with  Wood's  Minstrels,  same  city.  He  rejoined 
Bryant's  in  1863,  and  continued  with  them  until  the  Fall  of  1866,  when  he 


96  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

became  a  member  of  Kelly  and  Leon's  Minstrels,  also  in  New  York ;  he 
remained  until  May,  1868. 

That  same  month  he  again  joined  Bryant's,  and  a  few  weeks  later  went 
to  England,  where  he  opened  with  Moore  and  Crocker's  Minstrels.  Novem- 
ber 23,  1870,  found  him  back  to  Bryant's,  where  he  continued  until  his  death. 

Mr.  Seymour  was  exceedingly  tall,  and  correspondingly  slender,  and  in 
the  various  acts  in  which  he  worked  with  Dan  Bryant  he  was  very  funny. 
He  was  equally  at  home,  sitting  on  the  end  or  in  the  middle  on  the  first  part. 

Nelse  Seymour  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  June  5,  1835  ;  he  died  in 
New  York,  February  2,  1875. 

M.VTT  Thompson,  a  good  general  performer  and  "Essence"  dancer,  who 
was  with  Mrs.  Matt.  Peel's  Minstrels  in  1861 ;  died  in  New  Orleans,  La., 
August  21,  1867;  age  32  years. 

AL  T.  Skiff  was  a  well-known  and  prominent  manager  of  minstrel  com- 
panies. He  organized  a  company  bearing  his  name  September  26,  1863,  at 
Alexandria,  Va.  In  November  the  following  year,  with  Low  Gaylord,  he 
forrned  Skiff  and  Gaylord's  Minstrels,  and  as  such  traveled  for  several 
seasons. 

Mr.  Skiff  formed  a  partnership  with  Eph.  Horn  and  Walter  Bray  in 
August.  1869,  and  gave  minstrel  performances  for  a  brief  period.  .  In  1871 
Mr.  Skifif  called  his  company  the  "Albinos."  He  later  deserted  the  minstrel 
field,  and  for  several  years  traveled  in  an  executive  capacity  with  legitimate 
attractions. 

AI.  T.  Skiiif  was  born  in  New  Bedford,  Mass. ;  he  died  in  Baltimore,  Md., 
June  13,  1890;  age  55  years. 

The  Famously  Funny  Lee  Dinner,  as  told  by  the  late  W.  J.  Florence  to 
Seen  and  Heard ;  Philadelphia: 

"Philip  Lee,"  said  he,  "was  the  husband  of  the  beautiful  and  gifted  Adel- 
aide Neilson,  since  whose  death  we  have  never  seen  a  Juliet  upon  the  stage 
to  equal  her.  Lee  was  the  son  of  an  English  clergyman,  and  in  demeanor  and 
apparel  was  a  gentleman.  He  accompanied  his  wife  to  this  country,  not 
as  her  business  manager,  but  simply  as  her  husband.  He  was  a  harmless, 
pleasant,  gentlemanly  fellow,  with  but  little  knowledge  of  American  ways. 
It  is  not  true,  as  has  frequently  been  stated,  that  he  knew  so  little  of  this 
country  that  he  expected  to  see  buffaloes  plunging  down  Broadway  and 
Indians  tomahawking  people  in  Central  Park,  New  York,  nor  was  his  aston- 
ishment at  the  absence  of  such  surprising  adventures  the  inspiring  cause  of 
the  joke  of  which  he  was  made  the  victim.  Its  inception  was  in  this  way: 
At  the  time  Lee  was  in  New  York  City,  in  the  Fall  of  1877,  he  was  a  patron 
of  the  Fifth  Avenue  Hotel,  where  I  was  also  staying,  as  I  had  been  for  years, 
and  Mr.  Sothern  was  quartered  at  the  Gramercy  Park  Hotel.  One  night  the 
three  of  us  met  at  the  Lotos  Club,  which  was  then  far  down  town,  and,  as  we 
were  about  leaving  there,  Sothern  and  myself,  desiring  to  pay  the  English- 
man some  attention,  invited  him  to  acompany  us  to  the  old  chop  house  kept 
by  George  Brown,  and  there  have  a  bite  and  sup  before  going  to  bed.  We 
walked  up  Fifth  Avenue  together,  and,  as  we  were  opposite  the  Glenham 


BOB.    SLAVIN 


ED.  H.  BANKER 


"HAPPY"    CAL   WAGNER 


BURT.    HAVERLY 


SAM.   HAGUE 


EUGENE  STRATTON 
(1878) 


JOHNNY   SHAY  M.    T.    SKIFF  JOHN  W.  THOMPSON 

A  GROUP  OF  GENUINES. 


98  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY,' 

Hotel,  our  attention  was  attracted  by  a  disturbance  across  the  way,  evidently 
caused  by  a  brawl  between  a  policeman  and  some  jovial  young  blades.  Lee, 
who  was  very  curious  about  everything  he  saw,  exclaimed,  'Bless  me!  what's 
that?'  Mr.  Sothern  replied  in  the  most  nonchalant  manner,  as  he  continued 
walking  on,  'Oh,  only  another  dead  man.' 

"  'Another  dead  man!'  gasped  Lee;  "Lord  bless  me,  what  do  you  mean?' 
"'Oh,  that's  nothing,'  exclaimed  Sothern,  with  a  wave  of  his  hand;  'I 
stumble  across  them  every  night  on  my  way  home.  They  are  killing  men 
around  here  all  the  time.  I  trip  over  them,  but  pay  no  attention  to  them,  but 
keep  right  on  my  way  home.  I  don't  care  to  be  summoned  as  a  witness  before 
the  Coroner  every  day  of  my  life.'  'Bless  me!'  exclaimed  Lee;  'what  a  re- 
markable country !' 

ij<  ^  *  ^  ^ 

"We  finally  reached  Brown's,  and,  having  secured  a  table,  we  ordered 
chops  and  ale.  Sothern  and  myself  had  not  prearranged  any  joke  upon  our 
guest,  but  he  had  given  me  a  wink,  which  I  knew  meant  mischief,  and  I  was 
ready  to  play  second  to  any  part  he  proposed  performing.  While  we  were 
eating,  Sothern  suddenly  reached  over  and  placed  his  fork  in  one  of  my  chops, 
attempting  to  remove  it  to  his  plate.  I  prevented  this  by  the  insertion  of  my 
oVvn  fork,  and'then  said,  in  calm  but  determined  tones,  'Ned,  I  don't  like  that,' 
to  which  Lord  Dundreary  responded,  but  not  in  the  feeble  tones  of  that  stut- 
tering stage  nobleman,  'Mr.  Florence,  I  don't  care  whether  you  like  it  or  not; 
I  want  that  chop !' 

"With  that  I  sprang  upon  him  with  uplifted  knife  and  grabbed  my  dearly 
beloved  friend  by  the  throat,  and  he  seized  me  in  a  similar  way,  while  he 
apparently  made  desperate  efforts  to  cut  my  jugular  vein.  In  the  melee  which 
ensued  the  table  was  upset,  and  chops,  ale,  dishes,  knives,  forks  and  all  the 
other  appurtenances  descended  upon  poor  Lee  in  a  shower.  Brown,  the  pro- 
prietor of  the  establishment,  who  knew  us  both  intimately,  rushed  forward 
and  separated  us.  and  at  his  solicitation,  he  thinking  we  were  entirely  in  ear- 
nest, we  finally  shook  hands  and  renewed  our  vows  of  eternal  friendship  upon 
one  another's  bosoms. 

^  ^  i^  ^\:  ^ 

"That  was  the  inception  of  the  famous  Lee  dinner  hoax.  Sothern  came 
to  me  afterward  and  said  he  desired  to  give  the  Englishman  a  dinner  at  the 
Gramercy  Park  Hotel,  in  order  to  introduce  him  to  the  customs  of  the  great 
American  people,  and  said  that  the  only  part  he  desired  me  to  take  in  it  was 
to  be  sure  that  Lee  should  be  on  hand  at  the  appointed  hour,  which  was  noon 
of  the  following  Sunday.  To  this  I  agreed.  I  knew,  of  course,  that  some 
sort  of  a  joke  was  to  be  perpetrated  upon  Miss  Neilson's  husband,  but  I  pledge 
my  word  that  I  was  not  fully  let  into  the  secret,  and  was  not  advised  of  the 
programme.  At  the  designated  time  I  escorted  Lee  to  the  banquet  room, 
which  was  on  the  first  floor  in  the  rear  of  the  hotel  office.  I  found  out  after- 
ward that  by  special  arrangement  with  Mr.  Judson,  the  proprietor,  the  doors 
and  windows  had  been  well  padded  and  covered  so  that  no  noise  within  could 
reach  beyond  them.  The  apartment  was  lighted  with  wax  candles.  Those  as- 
sembled were  John  McCullough,  Harry  Montague,  J.  S.  Polk,  Charles  Gaylor, 
all  of  whom  had  achieved  fame  upon  the  sage ;  Dan  Bryant  and  Nelson  Sey- 
mour, the  most  famous  negro  minstrels  of  their  day ;  Commodore  Dickinson, 
of  the  New  York  Yacht  Club ;  George  Brown,  of  the  chop  house,  which  bore 


FROM  -  DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE. 


99 


his  name ;  a  gentleman  named  Cooper  and,  of  course,  Sothern,  Lee  and  myself. 
None  other  than  these  was  present. 


"The  03'Sters  liad  been  disposed  of,"  continued  Florence,  "and  the  soup 
had  just  been  placed  on  the  table,  when  Charley  Ga3-lor  arose,  and,  in  very 
impressive  tones,  spoke  about  as  follows :  'Gentlemen,  I  think  this  is  a  most 
auspicious  occasion  to  bring  about  peace  between  two  men  who,  while  stran- 
gers, were  once  devoted  friends.  I  do  not  think  that  rancor  could  exist  in 
any  heart  at  a  gathering  of  this  kind.  To  be  sure,  it  may  ill  become  me  to 
act  the  part  of  a  peacemaker,  for,  while  it  is  true  I  have  shed  human  blood, 


DAM  BRYANT 
NELSE  SJEYMOUR. 

that  my  right  hand  has  been  red  with,  the  gore  of  another,  it  must  also  be 
borne  in  mind  that  I  was  triumphantly  acquitted  of  the  offense,  and  that  a 
jury  of  my  peers  said  that  I  had  acted  only  in  self-defense.' 

"You  can  readily  imagine  that  this  took  the  breath  out  of  my  friend  Lee. 
who  had  been  seated  upon  my  left.  He  whispered  to  me,  'What  has  he  done? 
Did  he  kill  anyone?'  I  looked  at  him  warningly,  and  put  a  finger  on  my  lips 
as  I  whispered  back,  'Sh-h-h !  It  was  nothing;  only  his  mother!'  I  heard  him 
mutter,  'My  God!'  as  shrunk  in  his  chair,  and  then  he  leaned  toward  me  and 
whispered,  'Of  whom  is  he  speaking?"  As  I  didn't  know  myself,  I  couldn't 
well  tell  him,  but  I  warned  him  ofT  by  saying,  'You  will  learn  it  all  in  a  mo- 


100  •  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

merit.     His  words  might  apply  to  any  two  men  about  the  board,  because 
every  fellow  here  has  killed  his  man.' 

»j-  ^-  yf.  ^  y^ 

"Just  then  Gaylor  threw  light  upon  the  subject  by  saying,  as  he  pointed 
with  one  hand  to  that  clever  negro  minstrel,  Dan  Bryant,  and  the  other 
toward  that  equally  famous  delineator  of  cork  humor,  Nelse  Seymour,  'Of 
course,  gentlemen,  it  is  hardly  necessary  for  me  to  say  that  I  refer  to  Amer- 
ica's most  famous  poet,  William  Cullen  Bryant,  and  that  equally  distinguished 
gentleman,  M.  Seymour,  the  son  of  the  talented  ex-Governor  of  the  State  of 
New  York,  Horatio  Seymour,  and  I  now  request  that  these  two  gentlemen 
shake  hands  across  the  table  and  let  the  bloody  feud  which  has  existed  be- 
tween them  end  here !' 

"I  had  scarcely  time  to  give  an  affirmative  reply  to  Lee's  whispered 
inquiry.  'Is  that  really  William  Cullen  Bryant?'  when  there  ensued  the  most 
remarkable  scene  which  I  ever  witnessed  in  my  life.  I  cannot,  even  after 
many  years  have  elapsed,  think  of  it  without  the  tears  of  laughter  coming  to 
my  eyes.  Seymour  was  a  man  over  six  feet  in  height,  and  with  legs  the 
length  of  which  were  absurdly  out  of  proportion  to  the  rest  of  his  body.  He 
appeared  to  be  split  up  almost  to  his  neck.  One  of  his  most  famous  feats  upon 
the  minstrel  stage  was  to  suddenly  throw  one  of  his  feet  about  a  man's  neck 
and  draw  the  other  fellow  toward  him.  Upon  this  occasion  Bryant,  in  obe- 
dience to  Gaylor's  summons,  had  reached  forth  his  right  hand,  when  Sey- 
mour suddenly  threw  that  dreadful  right  leg  of  his  across  the  table,  caught 
his  friend  and  fellow-minstrel  by  the  back  of  the  neck,  drew  him  toward 
him  and  hit  him  squarely  between  the  eyes.  In  another  instant  both  men 
were  on  top  of  the  table  amid  the  soup  dishes,  and  were  snarling  and  biting 
and  tearing  at  one  another  like  a  pair  of  bulldogs.  Cooper  and  Dickinson, 
who  were  not  in  the  secret,  became  so  alarmed  that  they  got  under  the  table, 
while  I  could  only  hold  Lee  in  his  chair  by  main  force.  In  the  midst  of  the 
contest  the  table  upset  and  the  poor  Englishman  was  almost  drowned  in  soup. 
While  Bryant  and  Seymour  were  making  a  mockery  of  struggling  beneath 
the  debris,  Seymour,  by  wetting  his  fingers  of  one  hand,  secured  a  quantity 
of  blacking  from  one  of  his  shoes,  and  with  this  gave  himself  the  semblance  of 
a  black  eye.  When  some  appearance  of  order  had  been  obtained  a  truce  was 
patched  up  between  the  combatants,  and,  after  Seymour's  blackened  eye  had 
been  bandaged,  they  were  induced  to  shake  hands,  whereupon  the  other  mem- 
bers of  the  company,  who  were  in  the  secret,  exclaimed  admiringly,  'Once  a 
gentleman,  always  a  gentleman !'  and  declared  that  'a  true  American  gentle- 
man can  always  be  told  by  his  willingness  to  settle  a  little  difiference 
amicably.' 

"Lee  whispered  to  me  in  tremulous  indignation,  'This  is  most  shame- 
ful!' to  which  I  replied,  'I  don't  see  how  you  say  that.  There  was  no  one 
killed.'  Thereupon  he  amended  his  remark  by  saying,  'At  least,  it  was  most 
unfortunate.    I  am  dreadfully  sorry  it  occurred.' 

"The  table  was  got  in  shape  again,  and  things  moved  along  smoothly 
and  pleasantly  for  some  time,  until  Polk  and  Sothern  became  engaged  in 
apparently  a  very  angry  and  excited  dispute  about  the  merits  of  the  North 
and  South,  in  the  midst  of  which  Mr.  Sothern  suddenly  arose  to  his  feet,  and. 


/^ 

k 

S  3tj^^'      ff 

Mi^fiflH 

/  ■"  '''-■           # 

if  wi^r 

W^_  --*■'  i 

yj^L 

^u|wk        \ .'  i^.i^ 

^^Bap    -. 

•  -  ^^^ 

^P?C^: 

J&~^^^J^j4 

■^§^i 

■^$^-  ^            Jnf^  ^r^ 

JS^HiS^^^^.  ' 

^mm^^ 

W^-- 

" ^"^'^   ^K^mmrt'^T^^ 

vM^^n^^^^''^' 

w^^^m 

m  ^ 

'  fmWi'/'/mii 

Y^ 

MATT.    WHEELER 


D.W^E   WILSON 


WILL    COX 


CLARK  GIBBS 


HARRY   W.    SMITH 


WILL    LAX'AKE 


'Wheeler   &   Wilson,'"   "Will   Cox   &   Gibbs,"   and   some   "Singers" ;   nearly   all 
"Domestics."    Try  to  play  this  on  the  machine. 


102  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

drawing  a  revolver,  fired  it  directly  over  Polk's  head.  Immediately  a  scene  of 
the  wildest  excitement  ensued.  In  less  than  twenty  minutes  twenty  shots 
from  revolvers  had  been  fired  across  the  table.  Polk,  Gaylor,  McCullough, 
Montague,  Seymour,  Bryant  and  Sothern  were  not  only  firing  blank  cart- 
ridges from  revolvers,  but  were  brandishing  huge  knives  over  one  another's 
heads.  Dickinson,  Cooper  and  Brown  had  by  this  time  discovered  the  affair 
was  a  joke  and  simply  added  to  the  tumult.  The  terror  of  the  Englishman 
was  almost  pitiable.  He  begged  to  be  allowed  to  go,  but  his  friends  were  so 
thoroughly  in  love  with  him  that  they  would  not  let  him  depart.  There  was 
upon  the  table  at  this  particular  juncture  a  large  dish  of  asparagus,  covered 
with  drawn  butter,  and  most  of  the  combatants,  who  were  crawling  across 
the  table  to  carve  one  another's  hearts  out,  managed  to  get  their  hands  into  this 
mess,  and,  while  thus  besmeared,  they  could  take  turns  in  jumping  around  to 
where  I  was  holding  Lee  in  place,  and,  bringing  their  palms  down  upon  his 
shoulders,  would  beg  of  him  to  be  seated  and  assured  him  that  the  difficulty 
was  simply  a  trifling  one,  and  that  they  would  regret  it  to  their  dying  day 
should  he  leave  them.  So  frequent  were  these  expressions  of  hospitality  that 
Lee  was  smeared  from  head  to  foot  with  drawn  butter.  I  shall  never  forget 
the  spectacle  that  the  lamented  John  McCullough  presented  on  that  occasion. 
Having  fired  his  revolver,  he  drew  a  long  Roman  sword  from  his  boot,  and, 
with  a  swirl,  cut  off  the  neck  of  a  champagne  bottle  as  if  he  were  decapitating 
a  foe,  and  then  waving  it  threateningly  over  the  heads  of  Lee  and  myself,  he 
exclaimed.  'Why  does  not  the  gallant  Florence  stand  by  his  friends?  Where 
is  his  revolver  to-night?  I  have  traveled  with  him  through  the  West,  and 
then  he  never  went  without  his  arsenal  and  scarcely  a  day  passed  without  his 
killing  a  man.' 

"In  the  midst  of  the  fracas,  Seymour,  who  had  temporarily  disappeared, 
appeared  in  the  doorway  attired  in  a  white  hat  and  apron,  which  he  had  pro- 
cured from  the  hotel  chef,  and  announced  that  the  landlord  declared  that  the 
entire  party  must  vacate  the  room.  He  had  not  finished  his  speech  when 
everj-thing  on  the  table,  including  even  the  large,  heavy  dishes,  was  hurled 
at  him,  and  it  is  really  a  wonder  that  he  escaped  the  shower  unhurt.  By  this 
time  everyone  in  the  room,  and  especially  the  Englishman,  was  a  lamentable 
sight  to  behold.  Each  one  was  smeared  and  crushed  and  tumbled  and  torn 
from  head  to  foot.  Lee  could  stand  it  no  longer.  He  got  on  his  feet  finally 
and  managed  to  say  that  while  he  had  heard  such  scenes  as  he  had  witnessed 
were  enacted  in  the  purlieus  of  the  great  cities  of  America,  he  was  astounded 
and  disappointed  to  find  that  they  were  the  custom  among  gentlemen,  and 
further  said  that  he  would  have  to  leave  to  keep  a  dinner  engagement.  It 
was  4  o'clock.  I  escorted  him  to  the  street  and  put  him  in  a  carriage  to  con- 
ceal his  dilapidated  condition.  W^hen  we  came  to  settle  for  this  little  joke,  we 
found  that  our  bill  was  $600.    The  item  for  breakage  alone  amounted  to  $80." 

Men  will  sometimes  become  boys  again ;  and  very  silly  boys. 

Note.- — Mr.  Florence  was  in  error  in  giving  the  date  of  the  foregoing  as 
the  Fall  of  1877.     Dan  Bryant  died  in  the  Spring  of  1875. — Author. 

Ch.vrles  Melville  was  of  late  years  best  known  as  a  manager  and  agent, 
but  in  his  earlier  days  achieved  considerable  fame  as  a  balladist  in  minstrelsy. 


FROM  -DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  103 

As  early  as  May  i,  1856,  he  was  with  Raynor's  "Christy"  Minstrels,  and 
in  November,  same  year,  he  was  a  member  of  Turner's  Southern  Serenaders. 

The  following  year  he  was  with  Mrs.  Matt.  Peel's  Alinstrels  in  the  Sum- 
mer;  in  November,  i860,  Charles  Melville's  Minstrels  were  on  tour. 

October  14,  1861,  he  began  a  brief  engagement  with  Fox  and  Sharpley's 
Minstrels  in  New  York. 

In  an  t.xecutive  capacity  he  was  associated  among  others  with  Col.  T. 
Allston  Browne  and  Shook  and  Palmer. 

In  February.  1894,  Mr.  Melville  occupied  the  position  as  ticket  taker  at 
the  Arch  Street  Theatre  in  Philadelphia,  at  the  opening  of  that  theatre  in  a 
revival  of  old  stock  plays  by  George   Learock. 

Charles  Melville  died  in  Newark,  N.  J.,  July  10,  1901 ;  age  about  65  years. 

Lew.  Meyers  (Buhmeir),  is  a  name  that  is  practically  unknown  to  minstrel 
lovers  of  to-day :  yet  to  him  belongs  the  credit  of  being  the  original  "musical 
moke,"  long  familiar  to  variety  and  minstrel  liabitiics.  His  first  performance 
of  the  act  was  given  in  Newark,  N.  J.,  during  the  season  of  1852-53. 

'He  was  likewise  the  first  to  perform  the  harmonica  on  the  stage.  He 
went  to  Europe  in  1866  with  Hussey,  Sweney  and  Felton's  Minstrels.  His 
last  appearance  was  at  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  January  27,  1874,  where  he  gave  an 
entire  evening's  entertainment  of  one  and  a  half  hours'  duration,  during  which 
he  performed  on  twenty-six  different  instruments ;  and  on  one  occasion  four 
at  one  time. 

Lew  Meyers  was  born  in  Minden,  Prussia;  he  died  in  Pottsville,  Pa., 
July  II,  1875;  age  40  years. 

Jake  Budd  (Zebley),  the  old-time  comedian,  was  with  Buckleys  Serenaders 
in  England,  about  1855  ;  subsequently  with  Dan  Howard  he  ran  Canterbury 
Hall  in  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  for  several  years;  in  1862  he  rejoined  Buckleys;  he 
also  directed  minstrel  companies  in  Ltaltimore  and  Washington.  In  1872  he 
was  part  owner  of  Brant's  Hall  in  Harrisburg.  Pa.;  in  1874  he  was  stage  man- 
ager of  the  Comique  in  Washington,  D.  C. ;  subsequently  becoming  the 
manager. 

The  distinction  of  bringing  before  the  public  that  famous  song  and  dance 
team,  Welch  and  Rice,  in  the  6o's,  belongs  to  Mr.  Budd,  and  while  it  has  been 
said  that  he  was  the  first  to  do  a  monologue  in  minstrelsy,  the  writer  has  no 
means  of  substantiating  the  assertion. 

Jake  Budd  was  born  in  Philadelphia ;  he  died  in  Washington,  D.  C, 
October  11,  1888;  age  53  years. 

J.  K.  C.\MPBELL  (John  Kelly),  celebrated  as  a  banjoist  and  comedian,  made 
his  first  appearance  at  Wright's  Music  Hall  in  New  York  City,  in  1846,  as  a 
youth,  and  playing  under  his  own  name.  About  185 1,  George  Lea,  the  well- 
known  variety  manager,  suggested  that  Kelly  take  the  name  of  Cameron,  the 
same  as  the  prominent  theatrical  printer:  a  typographical  error  made  it  appear 
Campbell ;  and  as  Campbell  it  always  remained,  except  for  a  brief  period  in 
1859  and  i860,  when  he  'vas  with  George  Christy's  Minstrels  at  Niblo's  Sa- 
loon in  New  York  ;  here  he  sat  on  the  opposite  end  to  Christy,  and  was  on  the 
programme  as  J.  K.  Edwards. 

In  1870,  he  was  a  prominent  member  of  Hooley's  Minstrels,  in  Brooklyn, 


104  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

N.  Y.,  and  when  Hooley  opened  in  Chicago  on  January  2,  1871,  Mr.  Campbell 
went  with  him  ;  with  this  company  he  did  a  song  and  dance  with  John  Hogan, 
of  Hogan  and  Hughes;  the  latter  being  unable  to  play  on  account  of  illness. 

He  was  many  years  associated  with  the  late  "Fatty"'  Stewart,  and  iden- 
tified with  such  prominent  organizations  as  Moore  and  Burgess,  in  London, 
England,  and  Buckley's,  in  Boston,  where  he  opened  in  August,  1864. 

Mr.  Campbell  was  one  of  the  great  cards  of  minstrelsy;  as  a  banjoist  he 
ranked  with  the  best;  his  "Essence  of  Old  Virginny"  was  Ai  ;  he  was  ver- 
satile to  a  degree,  and  wrote  several  sketches,  amongst  them  "The  Rival 
Lovers"  and  "The  Lawyer's  Clerk." 

Miss  Fanchon  Campbell,  the  talented  young  actress  of  the  present,  and 
who  was  a  clever  child  actress  at  the  time  of  Mr.  Campbell's  death,  is  a 
daughter  of  his. 

J.  K.  Campbell  was  born  in  New  York  City,  1835  ;  he  died'  in  Pittsburg, 
Pa.,  February  6,  1878. 

Joe.  Buckley  (Timothy  Clancy),  was  a  good  general  black-face  per- 
former. In  1857,  he  was  with  G.  N.  Eldridge's  Great  Southern  Circus,  and 
for  many  years  was  associated  with  that  style  of  entertainment. 

In  his  earlier  days  he  was  associated  with  Joe  Chatfield  and  Harry 
Wells.  Mr.  Buckley,  likewise,  was  in  the  stock  at  Tony  Pastor's  at  585 
Broadway,  '^ew  York  Cit3^  also  with  Harrigan  and  Hart's  Company.  At 
the  time  of  his  death  he  was  not  engaged  in  his  profession. 

Joe.  Buckley  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  September  7,  1835 ;  he  died  in 
New  York  City,  July  19,  1884. 

Charles  Henry,  one  of  the  oldest  ballad  singers  in  minstrelsy,  was  living 
as  late  as  1886;  he  is  said  to  have  died  in  England. 

Cn.'VRLES  Templeton  (Broughton).  This  well-known  popular  vocalist  of 
minstrelsy,  began  his  career  in  Dundee,  Scotland,  in  1857,  with  Tom  Lee's 
Minstrels  ;  other  succeeding  European  engagements  were  with  the  Pelham 
Bros.'  Minstrels  and  Templeton's  African  Opera  Troupe,  the  latter  in  the 
Spring  of  1859;  it  was  here  that  he  took  the  name  of  Campbell,  emulating 
the  distinguished  Sher.  Campbell. 

In  the  Fall  of  1859  he  came  to  America  ancf  was  engaged  by  Dan  Bryant 
for  Bryant's  Minstrels,  at  472  Broadway,  New  York  City ;  at  the  suggestion 
of  Bryant,  he  took  the  name  of  Glendale,  so  as  not  to  conflict  with  Sher. 
Campbell,  a  warm  personal  friend  of  Bryant's. 

Late  in  1859  he  joined  Sanford's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  resuming  the 
name  of  Campbell ;  he  remained  there  three  years.  Subsequently  he  became 
a  member  of  the  following  well-known  minstrel  organizations :  Hooley "s,  in 
Brooklyn ;  San  Francisco's,  in  New  York,  six  years ;  a  second  and  third  en- 
gagement at  Bryant's,  also  Hooley 's ;  Geo.  Christy's,  one  year;  Barlow, 
Wilson,  Primrose  and  West's ;  Cotton  and  Reed's ;  Cool  Burgess' ;  Carncross, 
in  Philadelphia;  Neil  Bryant's  and  Cleveland's.  Also  with  such  operatic  com- 
panies as  Pauline  Hall's,  and  E.  E.  Rice's;  his  last  engagement  was  with 
Camille  D'Arville  Company,  about   15  years  ago. 

Charles  Templeton  was  born  at  South  Kirby,  England,  January  i,  1835. 


JAS.  HOI.DEN 


E.  N.  CATLIN 


FRANK  CARDELLA 


BOB.  HALL 


EDDIE  FOX 


W.  S.  MULLALLY 


E.  J.  CORNU  J-  B-  DONNIKER  CHAS.  HUNNEMAN 

SOME  LEADING  LEADERS  OF  MINSTRELSY. 


\ 


io6  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Denman  Thompson,  famous  for  many  years  for  his  unique  characterization 
of  Joshua  Whitcomb,  in  the  "Old  Homestead,"  sat  on  the  end  with  a  minstrel 
show  many  a  time  over  50  years  ago ;  and  at  the  Royal  Lyceum,  Toronto, 
Canada,  February  6,  1857,  he  played  Uncle  Tom,  in  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin." 

"Hank"  Parmley,  the  well-known  old-time  minstrel  agent,  died  in  New- 
ark, N.  J.,  May  7,  1902 ;  age  67  years. 

Neil  Bryant  (Cornelius  A.  O'Brien),  was  the  youngest  and  the  last  of  the 
three  famous  brothers  of  his  name  that  organized  Br3^ant's  Alinstrels,  in  1857. 

Oddly  enough,  less  is  known  about  the  early  career  of  Neil  Bryant  than 
either  of  his  brothers. 

The  earliest  authentic  record  obtainable  by  the  author  is  at  the  Ameri- 
can Hall,  Hartford,  Conn.,  June  25,  185 1,  as  a  member  of  Ordway's  Aeolians, 
a  famous  Boston  organization:  it  is  highly  probable  that  Mr.  Bryant  was 
with  this  company  prior  to  the  above  date  in  the  Massachusetts  metropolis. 

He  continued  with  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York  until  the  death  of 
his  brother  Dan,  April  10,  1875  ;  subsequently  he  organized  Bryant's  Minstrels, 
and  gave  intermittent  performances  on  the  road  for  a  period  of  about  seven 
years.  In  1851,  the  programme  gave  Neil  Bryant  as  giving  an  accordeon 
solo ;  in  later  years  he  was  almost  exclusively  identified  with  his  perform- 
ance on  the  fiutina. 

About  1882  he  secured  a  government  position  in  Washington,  D.  C, 
which  he  retained  until  two  3'ears  prior  to  his  death. 

July  II,  1859,  Mr.  Bryant  married  Miss  Gertrude  E.  Ransom. 

Neil  Bryant  was  born  in  Keesville,  N.  Y.,  1835  ;  he  died  in  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y.,  March  6,  1902. 

Joe.  Murphy  (Wm.  L.  Murphy).  It  is  pretty  well  known  to  theatre 
goers  in  general,  that  Mr.  Murphy's  early  career  was  spent  as  a  minstrel  in 
California,  where  he  drifted  in  the  50's. 

As  late  as  1858  he  was  with  the  California  Minstrels,  with  whom  he  was 
associated  many  months  in  San  Francisco. 

In  i860  with  Billy  Birch,  a  company  bearing  the  name  of  Birch  and 
Murphy's  Minstrels  toured.  In  1864  Murphy  and  (Walter)  Bray's  Minstrels 
were  in  existence.  Mr.  Murphy  then  came  East,  and  with  Ben  Cotton  formed 
Cotton  and  Murphy's  Minstrels,  opening  at  Fall  River,  Mass.,  about  March  i, 
1865. 

In  1867  he  again  went  West,  and  late  that  j^ear  was  with  Dan  and  Neil 
Bryant's  Minstrels,  in  San  Francisco.  A  few  months  later  he  joined  Morris 
Brothers'  Company,  in  Boston,  and  on  April  20,  1868,  made  his  appearance  in 
Nev.'  York  with  Kelly  and  Leon's  Minstrels. 

Once  more  did  Mr.  Murphy  take  Horace  Greeley's  advice,  and  went 
W^est,  where  in  August,  1869,  at  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  with-Johnny  Mack,  or- 
ganized Murphy  and  Mack's  Minstrels. 

His  first  appearance  as  a  legitimate  performer  was  made  in  San  Fran- 
cisco, September  16,  1867,  as  Pat  Murphy  in  "The  Happy  Man." 

It  was  in  New  York  City,  May  8,  1871,  that  Mr.  Murphy  first  produced 
his  play  of  "Help,"  in  which  he  impersonated  a  negro  and  other  characters. 

Subsequently  "Shaun  Rhue"  and  "Kerry  Gow"  brought  him  name  and 
fame,  as  well  as  wealth. 


FROM  "DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  107 

Mr.  Murphy  married  Miss  Martha  Shattuck  in  the  early  6o's. 
At    San   Antonio,   Texas,   November    11,    1909,   he    wedded    Miss    May 
Firmiei,  an  actress. 

Joe  Murphy  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  May  16,  about  1835. 

J.  W.  Hilton  was  one  of  the  favorite  bass  singers  in  minstrejsy. 

He  was  with  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  in  i860,  and  continued 
with  them  intermittently  for  several  seasons.  In  the  Summer  of  1869  he  went 
to  Liverpool,  England,  with  Smith  and  Taylor's  Minstrels,  opening  there 
June  21. 

J.  W.  Hilton  was  born  in  the  United  States;  he  died  in  Liverpool,  Eng- 
land, January  2.  1871  ;  age  36  years. 

James  Unswoeth,  or  just  "Unsworth"  as  he  was  more  familiarly  known, 
was  one  of  those  rare  performers  who  were  concededly  away  ahead  of  the 
times  in  which  they  flourished. 

The  word  "great"  may  be  truly  applied  to  him,  for  while  he  excelled  in 
all  he  undertook,  he  was  famous  for  his  stump  speeches,  for  his  banjo  solos, 
and  for  his  singing  of  Irish  songs  on  the  end,  of  which  he  was  one  of  the  first. 

His  professional  debut  was  made  with  Sanford's  Minstrels,  in  Philadel- 
phia, August  10,  1857;  he  continued  there  until  January  2,  1858,  when  he 
left  and  joined  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York  that  same  month.  After  a 
few  months  with  that  company  he  went  with  Matt.  Peel's  Minstrels  for  a  road 
tour,  and  opened  with  them  in  New  York,  October  5,  1858;  a  few  weeks  later 
the  company  was  known  as  Sniffen's  Campbell's  Minstrels,  with  whom  Mr. 
Unsworth  continued  for  several  weeks. 

December  6,  he  rejoined  Bryant's  for  the  season ;  again  opening  there  the 
following  Fall ;  he  left  September  19,  1859,  and  later  joined  Anderson's  Min- 
strels, which  had  a  brief  existence.  Early  in  i860  he  opened  with  Hooley 
and  Campbell's  Minstrels;  here  he  met  "Eugene,"  and  a  business  alliance 
was  formed  which  continued  uninterruptedly  until  death  intervened,  fifteen 
years  later. 

He  closed  with  Hooley  and  Campbell  in  New  York  City,  January  26, 
1861,  and  with  "Eugene"  and  J.  B.  Donniker  organized  Unsworth's  Min- 
strels. A  few  months  later  he  sailed  for  Europe,  and  subsequently  joined 
Rumsey  and  Newcomb's  Minstrels  in  Liverpool :  later  going  to  Germany 
with  them.  Mr.  Unsworth  remained  abroad  playing  the  Music  Halls,  also 
a  long  engagement  with  W'ilsom  and  Montague's  ^Minstrels,  until  the  Spring 
of  1868,  when  he  returned  to  America,  and  again  joined  Bryant's  Minstrels 
in  New  York  ;  he  remained  two  years. 

In  the  Fall  of  1870  he  joined  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and 
later  went  with  that  company  to  Chicago,  opening  January  2,  1871,  for  the 
balance  of  the  season. 

Unsworth's  Minstrels  again  took  the  road,  opening  September  2,  1871, 
at  Paterson,  N.  J. ;  December  18,  he  returned  to  Hooley's,  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 
In  1872,  he  was  successively  with  Moran  and  Dixey's ;  and  Moran's  Minstrels 
in  Philadelphia. 

In  the  Spring  of  1873  he  joined  Moran  and  Manning's  Minstrels,  and  in 
the  Fall  of  that  j-ear  again  became  a  member  of  Bryant's  Company  in  New 
York  for  the  season.    Mr.  Unsworth  sailed  for  England  in  1874,  opening  with 


io8  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Sam  Hague's  Minstrels  in   Liverpool  in  the  Fall  of  that  year ;  he  remained 
with  the  company  until  his  death. 

James  Unsworth  was  born  in  Liverpool,  England,  July  2,  1835  ;  he  died 
there,  February  21,  1875. 

Mazzellah  Ainsley  Scott  is  one  of  the  oldest,  and  at  the  same  time  one 
of  the  youngest  looking  minstrels.  Mr.  Scott,  who  has  a  keen  sense  of  humor, 
gravely  declares  that  he  was  born  in  Nashua,  N.  H.,  July  26,  1820 ;  he  looks  60. 

Mr.  Scott  sometime  ago  told  the  author  that  he  (Scott)  made  his  first 
appearance  on  the  stage  at  the  age  of  three  years  as  the  child  in  "Pizarro"; 
then  Mr.  Scott  had  to  catch  a  train,  the  author  caught  a  cold,  but  managed  to 
get  the  following  data : 

In  1858  he  was  with  the  New  Orleans  Opera  Troupe  (a  minstrel  corn- 
pany),  the  following  year  he  was  at  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York;  he  has 
the  distinction  of  being  the  only  one  living  who  was  on  the  programme  the 
night  that  "Dixie"  was  first  sung,  September  12,  1859. 

Mr.  Scott  was  in  partnership  with  Cool  Burgess  in  a  minstrel  show  in 
1867;  the  same  year  he  was  with  LaRue's  Minstrels,  also  Lloyd  and  Bidaux's 
Minstrels. 

In  1862  he  was  with  Sanford's  Minstrels;  in  1864  at  the  opening  of  M. 
C.  Campbell's  Minstrels,  in  New  York,  June  27.  He  was  with  the  San 
Francisco's,  also  in   New  York,  and  with   Duprez  and  Green's  Company. 

In  1884  he  was  with  the  opera  of  "Princess  Ida";  in  1892  with  Miss 
Sidonie,  as  Scott  and  Sidonie  played  a  sketch  in  vaudeville,  called  "Round- 
sey,   the   Copper." 

Mrs.   Ainsley   Scott   died   May  31,   1867. 

When  last  heard  of,  a  short  time  ago,  Mr.  Scott  was  a  pedestrian. 

Wm.  H.  Brockway  was  a  well-known  interlocutor  of  minstrelsy.  He 
was  with  Morris  Bros ;  Pell  and  Trowbridge's  Minstrels  in  Boston  in  the 
Spring  of  1859,  and  continued  with  them  practically  until  July  27,  1861, 
when  in  conjunction  with  Charley  Morris  and  Jno.  E.  Taylor,  they  formed 
a  minstrel  company,  opening  in  Gloucester,  Mass.,  on  the  above  date. 

Mr.  Brockway  joined  Kelly  and  Leon's  Minstrels  in  New  York  early 
in  1868,  and  continued  with  them  about  a  year.  He  joined  Bryant's  Min- 
strels in  New  York  about  1871,  and  remained  with  them  until  the  death  of 
Dan  Bryant,  April   10,   1875. 

Mr.  Brockway  joined  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn  about  December 
1875.  He  had  not  appeared  professionally  for  about  ten  or  twelve  years 
prior  to  his  death. 

W.  H.  Brockway  was  born  in  New  York ;  he  died  in  Boston,  Mass., 
May  25,  1888,  age  53  years. 

Joseph  Gorton,  Sr.,  entered  the  theatrical  business  in  1854,  and  has  the  dis- 
tinction of  being  the  oldest  manager,  in  point  of  service,  of  any  man  in  the 
annals  of  minstrelsy. 

Mr.  Gorton  assumed  the  management  of  the  New  Orleans  Minstrels  in 
November,  1867;  the  company  subsequently  became  known  as  Gorton's 
Minstrels,  and  as  such  has  continued  up  until  the  present  year. 

Joseph  Gorton,  Sr.,  was  born  in  Friendship,  N.  Y.,  February  21,  1835. 


"EUGENE" 
(1858) 


"THE  ONLY  LEON" 
(i860) 


ROLLIN  HOWARD  FRED.  DART 

THEY  WERE  FAMOUS  IN  FEMALE  FRIVOLITIES. 


no  MONARCH^  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

O.  P.  Sweet,  or  Dr.  O.  P.  Sweet  as  it  is  now,  began  his  professional  career 
as  a  member  of  Mrs.  Matt.  Peel's  Minstrels  in  i860;  at  that  time  he  was 
known  as  Tom   Leslie. 

The  next  four  years  were  given  to  concert  work.  Mr.  Sweet  joined 
Haverly's  Minstrels  late  in  1864;  March  17,  1865,  he  opened  with  Arling- 
ton's Minstrels,  in  Chicago;  two  years  later  he  was  also  with  Arlington. 
Another  two  years  saw  him  a  member  of  Buckley's  Serenaders. 

April  17,  1871,  he  opened  in  New  York  with  Newcomb  and  Arlington's 
Minstrels;  a  year  later  he  was  with  Mike  Leavitt's  Minstrels. 

Dr.  Sweet  has  been  practicing  his  profession  for  many  years,  but  is 
always  glad  to  recall  "Auld  Lang  Syne." 

Dr.  Sweet  has  passed  the  alloted  three  score  years  and  ten — and  some 
more. 

Theodore  Jackson,  the  old-time  interlocutor,  who  in  his  day  was  prominently 
identified  with  many  famous  minstrel  organizations,  is  said  to  have  died  in 
Brooklyn,  N.   Y.,  a  few  years  ago. 

William  Castle  (J.  C.  Reeves),  the  great  operatic  tenor,  and  long  promi- 
nent in  musical  circles  in  Chicago,  was  with  several  famous  minstrel  organi- 
zations, notably  Hooley  &  Campbell's  in  1860-61,  and  George  Christy's  in 
1862.  Mr.  Castle  was  born  in  England,  December  20,  1836;  he  died  in  Chi- 
cago,  111.,   March   31,    1909. 

Jake  Wallace,  the  famous  old  banjoist  and  black-face  performer,  is  said 
to  be  living  on  a  ranch  in  Southern  California,  in  the  neighborhood  of  San 
Diego. 

The  author  is  willing  to  admit  he  envies  Mr.  Wallace. 

S.  S.  PuRDY  was  a  well-known  and  prominent  comedian ;  he  excelled  in  the 
song  and  dance  of  "Nicodemus  Johnson,"  and  as  early  as  February,  1868, 
in  a  controversy,  he  claimed  to  have  been  the  originator  of  it. 

In  1867  he  was  co-proprietor  of  Purdy,  Coes  and  Converse's  Riinstrels, 
and  in   1872  of  Purdy,   Scott  and   Fostelle's   Minstrels. 

In  1863-64  he  was  with  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  and  in  1867- 
68-69  with   Kelly  and    Leon's   Minstrels. 

About  February  i,  1876,  he  took  out  a  company  called  the  Purdy  Com- 
bination, which  had  a  brief  existence. 

S.  S.  Purdy  was  born  in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  February,  1836;  he  died  in  Chi- 
cago, 111.,  March  i,  1876. 

Low  Gaylord  (Lowrenzo  Gaylord)  began  his  theatrical  career  at  the  age  of 
twelve  as  a  ballad  singer  with  Green's  Circus. 

In  the  early  50's  he  organized  Gaylord  and  Dupont's  Minstrels  in  Phila- 
delphia, where  they  remained  for  several   years. 

With  M.  T.  Skiff  they  organized  Skiff  and  Gaylord's  Minstrels,  giving 
their  first  performance  in  1864,  and  continued  as  an  organization  intermit- 
tently until   1878. 

Low  Gaylord  was  born  in  Westfield,  Mass.,  January  19,  1836;  he  died 
in   Philadelphia,  April  7,   1878. 


PROM   ■■JKII'I'V  RICH   lO  DATE.  Ill 

John  P.  Oberist  was  a  well-known  vocalist,  and  as  a  Tyrolean  warbler,  was 
one  of  the  best. 

His  first  theatrical  appearance  was  with  the  Twilight  Serenaders  at 
Erie,  Pa.,  June  25,  i860. 

In  1865  he  opened  with  Kelly  and  Leon's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  and 
continued   with   them   about   three  years. 

Subsequently  he  was  with  Newcomb's  Minstrels  in  1869,  and  in  1870 
joined  the  San   Francisco  Minstrels  for  the  season. 

Later  he  joined  Harrigan  and  Hart's  Company  in  New  York,  where  he 
remained   until   his   death. 

He  was  born  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  1836;  he  died  in  New  York,  January 
17,  1882. 

E.  N.  Slocum  was  one  of  the  best  interlocutors  and  actors  in  minstrelsy. 
His  first  appearance  was  with  an  amateur  company  in  Warren,  O.,  in  1849. 

About  1855  he  played  on  the  Steamer  "Banjo"  with  Ned  Davis'  Min- 
strels;  subsequently  he  was  with  Hooley,  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  Duprez  and 
Green's;  Skiff  and  Gaylord's  and  Carncross  and  Dixey's  Minstrels  in  Phila- 
delphia, where  he  remained  several  years.  August  29,  1870,  he  opened  with 
Simmons  and  Slocum's  Minstrels  at  their  own  theatre  in  Philadelphia, 
where  he  continued  until  1877,  when  he  joined  Carncross'  Minstrels  in  the 
same   city,  and   remained   several   seasons. 

About  1887  he  joined  Dockstader's  Minstrels  in  New  York ;  this  was 
his  last  professional  engagement,  after  which  he  entered  the  mercantile 
business. 

E.  N.  Slocum  was  born  in  Columbus,  O.,  April  26,  1836;  he  died  in 
Philadelphia,  October  17,  1895. 

Charles  O.  White,  the  great  theatrical  manager,  who  had  at  various  times 
theatres  in  Washington,  Memphis,  Nashville,  New  Orleans,  Brooklyn  and 
Detroit,  began  his  professional  career  in  1852  in  Washington,  D.  C,  as  a 
member  of  the  Cosmopolitan  Minstrels ;  later  he  was  with  the  famous  Eu- 
terpians,  and  Sweeney  and  Parrow's  Minstrels. 

Mr.  White  was  born  in  Alexandria,  Va.,  December  25,  1836;  he  died  in 
Detroit,   Mich.,   January   2,    1889. 

"Eugene"  (Eugene  D'  Ameli)  was  one  of  the  most  wonderful  artists  in  his 
line  that  minstrelsy  ever  knew ;  his  delineations  of  female  characters  were 
so  finished,  so  true  to  life,  that  the  Germans  in  Berlin  during  an  engage- 
ment there  in  April,  1862,  were  emphatic  in  their  declarations  that  he  was  a 
woman. 

"Eugene's"  debut  was  made  with  Wood's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  May 
16,  1853 ;  five  months  later,  George  Christy  joined  the  company,  which  was 
known  as  Wood  and  Christy's  Minstrels  until  May,  1858.  Eugene  con- 
tinued as  a  member  all  during  this  period. 

Early  in  ]\Iay,  1858,  he  Avent  to  California  with  George  Christy,  and 
several  others ;  they  opened  in  San  Francisco,  June  7,  under  the  manage- 
ment of  Tom  Maguire.  In  January,  1859,  he  left  there,  under  the  manage- 
ment of  R.  M.  Hooley  and  George  Christy ;  returning  to  New  York,  he 
opened  May  22,,  and  continued  until  July,  when  he  went  on  tour  with  the 


112  MON.IRCllS  Ol'   MIXS'IRIUSY, 

company ;  they  subsequently  returned  to  New  York,  where  on  January  28, 
i860,  they  disbanded. 

On  February  6,  Mr.  Eugene  opened  with  Hooley  and  Campbell's  Min- 
strels in  Boston,  at  their  inaugural  performance  there ;  with  this  company 
he  met  James  Unsworth,  and  the  two  formed  a  business  alliance  that  con- 
tinued until  the  death  of  the  latter,  just  fifteen  years  later. 

Early  in  1861,  Eugene,  Unsworth  and  J.  B.  Donniker  organized  Uns- 
worth's  Minstrels;  they  disbanded  at  Ogdensburg,  N.  Y.,  in  the  Spring; 
shortly  after,  Eugene  and  Unsworth  sailed  for  Europe.  On  August  5,  1861. 
they  opened  with  Ramsey  and  Newcomb's  Minstrels  in  Liverpool,  Eng. ; 
subsequently   they   played  through   the   provinces   and    Germany. 

Later  they  returned  to  London,  where  they  played  the  music  halls  for 
three  years ;  after  which  they  joined  Wilsom  and  Montague's  Minstrels  in 
Liverpool,  and  played  there  for  four  years ;  their  last  engagement  there 
was  April  7,  1868.  Mr.  Eugene  and  his  partner  arrived  in  the  United 
States  on  April  28,  and  a  few  weeks  later  opened  the  season  of  1868  at  Bry- 
ant's Minstrels  in  New  York,  and  continued  there  for  two  years. 

In  the  fall  of  1870  he  joined  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  and  on 
January  2,  1871,  when  the  latter  opened  in  Chicago,  Mr.  Eugene  was  with 
hirfi,  and  continued  for  several   months. 

September  2,  1871,  he  opened  at  Paterson,  N.  J.,  with  Unsworth's  Min- 
strels at  their  first  performance.  December  18,  they  reopened  with  Hooley's 
Minstrels   in   Brooklyn,   remaining  several   weeks. 

February  26,  1872,  he  began  an  engagement  with  Moran  and  Dixey's 
Minstrels  in   Philadelphia,  and  remained  until  the  end  of  the  season. 

In  August  he  opened  a  three-months'  engagement  at  the  Howard  Ath- 
enaeum, in  Boston,  and  on  November  25,  joined  Frank  Moran's  Minstrels 
in  Philadelphia.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  regular  season,  the  company 
went  on  tour ;  it  was  known  as  Moran  and  Manning's  Minstrels,  and  "Eu- 
gene" was  a  member  of  the  company. 

The  season  of  1873-74  was  spent  with  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York; 
in  1874  he  went  to  England  and  opened  with  Sam  Hague's  Minstrels  in 
Liverpool,  where  he  remained  until  the  death  of  his  partner,  February  21, 

1875- 

"Eugene"  returned  to  New  York  the  same  year,  and  on  September  13, 

commenced  a  short  season  there  with  Cotton  and  Reed's  Minstrels.  No- 
vember 15  he  began  an  engagement  with  Carncross  and  Dixey's  company 
in  Philadelphia,  and  continued  there  for  four  years ;  the  last  season  the  com- 
pany was  known  as  Carncross  Minstrels. 

June  4,  1879,  he  sailed  for  England  for  a  period  of  much  needed  rest, 
playing  but  a  few  engagements.    , 

In  1881  he  returned  to  Amarica.  and  on  October  17,  he  opened  with 
Emerson's  Minstrels  in  San  Francisco,  closing  in  January,  1882 ;  subse- 
quently sailing  for  a  Trans-Pacific  trip  with  a  variety  company,  opening  at 
Honolulu,  May  13.  The  company  disbanded  in  Shanghai,  China,  in  August, 
and  "Eugene"  returned  to  the  United  States  in  March  following. 

A  year  later  he  began  his  final  engagement  with  the  Leon  and  Cush- 
man  company,  and  in  May,  1884,  he  made  his  last  appearance  on  any  stage. 

Thus  after  a  successful  career  of  exactly  thirty-one  years,  this  brilliant 
luminary  of  the  minstrel  firmament  retired  to  private  life. 


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114  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

"Eugene"  was  born  in  New  York  City,  June  4,  1836;  he  died  in  Brook- 
lyn, N.  Y.,  January   18,   1907. 

Dick  Parker,  whose  "banjoisms"  attained  wide  popularity  in  the  Metropolis 
more   than  thirty  years   ago,   began   his   professional   career   about    1854. 

He  was  stock  comedian  at  various  times  in  New  Orleans,  Baltimore, 
Washington,  St.  Louis,  Boston  and  New  York. 

In  1871  in  conjunction  with  J.  E.  Edwards  and  Jack  Talbott,  he  formed 
a  minstrel  organization   bearing  their  names. 

In  1889  he  went  to  Paris,  opening  there  with  the  American  Circus. 
Appearing  in  evening  clothes,  preceded  by  four  supers,  and  announced  by 
the  ring-master,   Mr.   Parker  created  a  sensation. 

In  1879  he  opened  what  is  now  known  as  Keeney's  Theatre  in  New 
York,   and   controlled   its  destinies   about  four  years. 

Dick  Parker  was  born  in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  in  1836;  he  died  at  Staten  Island, 
N.  Y.,  August  28,  1908. 

John  A.  M.\ck  was  a  well-known  comedian  and  song  and  dance  performer 
of  the  genteel  order.     He  was  especially  well-known  in  California. 

He  was  born  in  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  in  1836;  he  died  in  San  Rafael,  Cal., 
July  23,    1870. 

D.  W.  Collins  (Carpenter),  who  was  associated  with  Jack  Haverly  in  Toledo, 
O.,  in  the  latter's  early  managerial  days,  died  at  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  May  20, 
1869 ;  age  ^^  years. 

Wm.  S.  Budworth  was  well  known  as  a  banjoist  and  comedian,  and  had 
some  repute  for  his  Dutch  delineations;  his  "Fight  Mit  Siegel"  was  best 
known. 

In  the  Spring  of  i860  he  was  with  Wood's  Minstrels  on  a  road  tour. 

Mr.  Budworth  was  with  Hooley's  ^Minstrels  in  April,  1864,  in  Brook- 
lyn, and  the  following  year  he  was  also  with  Hooley  at  201  Bowery,  New 
York  City.  He  was  stage  manager  for  Tunison's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia, 
in  the  6o's ;  with  the  Globe  Minstrels  at  728  Broadway,  New  York,  in  the 
Fall  of  1871,  and  in  the  same  city  with  the  San  Francisco  Minstrels  in  1877. 

Mr.  Budworth  was  also  with  Emerson's  Minstrels,  and  played  frequent 
variety  engagements.  His  last  appearance  was  with  Tony  Pastor  about 
twenty-five  years  before  his   death. 

Wm.  S.  Budworth  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  November  25,  1836;  he  died 
at  Mount  Vernon,  N.  Y.,  January  24,  1908. 

Sam  Price  (Valleau),  was  a  famous  old-time  comedian,  and  especially  clever 
in  the  old  negro  act  of  the  "Haunted  House."  He  was  a  great  favorite  in 
the  South,  where  the  colored  folks  would  wildly  enthuse  over  his  perform- 
ances. Mr.  Price  was  with  Mrs.  Matt.  Peel's  Minstrels  in  i860,  where  he 
made  a  hit  singing  "Pretty  Gal  in  Blue,"  and  playing  the  tambpurine  end. 

October  i,  1866,  he  opened  with  Kelly  and  Leon's  Minstrels  in  New 
York  at  their  initial  performance  there :  he  continued  with  them  for  a  lengthy 
period,  subsequently  joining  Arlington,  Cotton  and  Kemble's  Minstrels  in 
Chicago.     Mr.   Price  was  also  associated  with  many  other  prominent  min- 


FROM  ■•DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  115 

strel  organizations,  but  had  not  appeared  much  for  some  years  prior  to  his 
death. 

Sam  Price  was  born  in  Xew  York  State,  September  6,  1836;  he  died  in 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  August  28,  1907. 

Charles  Edwin  Reynolds  was  one  of  the  most  original  and  unctuous  com- 
edians. 

As  early  as  1859  he  was  with  the  Metropolitan  Ethiopean  and  Burlesque 
Troupe,  and  about  1862  was  associated  with  Cool  Burgess,  and  later  Wally 
Thomas  in  a  company  of  his  owil  Subsequentl}'  he  was  with  Duprcz  and 
Green,  Duprez  and  Benedict's :  Lloyd  and  Bidaux' ;  Newcomb  and  Arling- 
ton's, and  Sweatnam's   Minstrels. 

He  was  with  Haverly  in  1869  and  1879. 

Charles  Edwin  Reynolds  was  born  in  Belfast,  Me.,  August  8,  183C;  he 
died  in  Vineland,  X.  J.,  May  19,  1910. 

Billy  Arlington  (Valentine  Burnell),  was  one  of  the  great  luminaries  of 
minstrelsy.  He  achieved  fame  as  a  comedian,  as  a  stump  speaker  and  ban- 
joist  ;  he  was  a  good  all  round  performer.  Mr.  Arlington's  professional 
career  began   in  the   So's. 

February  20,  i860,  he  opened  in  Xew  York  with  George  Christy's  2^Iin- 
strels,  and  was  associated  with  the  latter  practically  until  the  formation  of 
Arlington  and  Donniker's  Minstrels  in  .-Xugust,  1862;  the  organization  was 
subsef|uently  known  as  Arlington,  Leon,  Kelly  and  Donniker's.  Arling- 
ton's Minstrels  opened  in  Chicago  in  September,  1867. 

October  3,  1870,  Air.  Arlington  commenced  an  engagement  with  Welch, 
Hughes,  and   White's  Alinstrcls  in   Brooklyn,   N.  Y. 

April  17,  1871,  Xew'comb  and  Arlington's  Minstrels  opened  in  X'^ew 
York  for  a  run,  subsequently  for  a  road  tour,  November  the  same  year,  Ar- 
lington's Minstrels  again  opened  in  Chicago ;  the  company  subsequently 
evolved  into  Arlington,  Cotton  and  Kemble's  Minstrels,  and  as  such  con- 
tinued about  three  years.  Mr.  Arlington  was  with  Emerson's  Minstrels  in 
Chicago  in  the  Spring  of  1875,  subsequently  touring  with  them. 

About  Mr.  Arlington's  last  minstrel  engagement  was  with  Bartlett's 
California  Minstrels  in  November,  1898.  Billy  Arlington  was  born  about 
1836. 

Ed.  H.  B.\nker,  one  of  the  old  and  tried,  and.  "not  found  wanting"  black-face 
performers,  began  his  professional  career  at  the  age  of  10  years  with  Sam 
Stickney's  circus  as  a  drummer;  later  he  did  nigger  business  in  the  ring. 

He  made  his  first  appearance  in  Xew  York  at  "Daddy"  Rice's  benefit 
in  1853,  doing  a  bone  solo. 

Mr.  Banker  was  with  George  Christy  in  1865  :  and  for  some  time  stage 
manager  at  Harry  Enoch's  Varieties  in  Philadelphia,  and  subsequently,  at 
the  Olympic  in   Xew  Orleans. 

He  was  the  author  of  several  successful  farces,  notably — "Too  Hot  For 
Comfort,"    the    "Wig    Maker"    and    the    "Colored    Policeman." 

Mr.  Banker  is  also  credited  with  being  the  first  performer  of  changing 
from  black  to  white  and  back  again  in  a  few  seconds. 

At  the  time  of  his  death,  which  occurred  under  suspicious  circum- 
stances, he  was  with  "The  Xight  Before  Christmas"  Company. 


Ii6  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTIUILSY, 

Ed.  IL  Ranker  was  born  in  New  Orleans,  La.,  December  23,  1836;  he 
died  at  Ahnneapolis,  Minn.,  October  3,   1902. 

Japanese  Tommy  (Thomas  Dilverd),  was  a  colored  man,  whose  height  of 
^y  inches  made  him  a  valuable  acquisition  to  the  many  companies  he  was 
associated  with ;  he  was  not  dependent  on  this  for  his  success,  for  he  was  a 
good  comedian,  and  played  male  and  female  roles  equally  as  well. 

Some  of  his  principal  engagements  were  with  the  minstrel  organiza- 
tions of  Morris  Brothers,  Pell  and  Trowbridge ;  Kelly  and  Leon's ;  Emer- 
son's and  Sam  H agues.  His  last  appearance  was  probably  with  the  Crite- 
rion Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  March  5,  1887. 

Japanese  Tommy  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  he  died  in  New  York 
City,  July  9,  1887;  age  about  50  years. 

Prof.  E.  J.  Cornu,  the  well-known  and  efficient  musical  director,  came 
to  the  United  States  in  the  late  6o's,  and  at  once  associated  himself  with 
Hooley's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  When  the  company  went  to  Chi- 
cago, opening  there  January  2,  1871,  Mr.  Cornu  went  with  them,  and  was 
with  Mr.  Hooley  several  years. 

Mr.  Cornu  had  been  engaged  by  Mr.  Hooley  when  the  latter  was 
abroad,  for  Hooley's  "Opera  House" ;  Mr.  Cornu  being  under  the  impres- 
sion he  was  to  be  associated  with  a  regular  opera  company.  When  he  found 
he  had  to  put  cork  on  his  face,  for  a  long  time  he  was  inconsolable. 

Prof.  Cornu  was  born  in  Brussels,  Belgimn  ;  he  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y., 
March  28,  1889. 

Tommy  Jefferson,  an  old-time  banjoist  and  minstrel  performer,  who  was 
with  Kelly  and  Leon's  Company  in  Chicago  in  1869,  as  well  as  many  other 
like  organizations,  had  been  retired  many  years  from  the  profession  prior 
to,  his  death  at  Seattle,  Wash,  November  i,  1897;  he  was  70  years  of  age. 

James  Roome  was  a  fine  banjoist  and  good  general  performer.  He  played 
with  various  companies,   notably   Ned   Davis'   Minstrels  in    1867. 

He  was  born  in   1837,  and  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  February  3,   1885. 

Clark  M.  Gibbs  was  long  recognized  as  an  able  black-face  comedian. 

His  earliest  professional  appearance  was  with  a  circus  when  he  was 
eleven  years   of  age. 

He  had  been  associated  with  some  of  the  best  minstrel  companies,  and 
worked  with  several  well-known  comedians  in  acts,  notably  Cool.  Burgess 
and    Lew    Simmons. 

He  was  twice  married;  a  son,  Clark  Gibbs,  Jr.,  who  was  also  in  the 
profession  for  a  time,  is  in  Trenton,  N.  J. 

Clark  M.  Gibbs  was  born  in  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  March  6,  1837;  he  died 
in  Trenton,  N.  J.,  August  20,  1901. 

Ira  Paine,  the  famous  sharpshooter,  played  several  minstrel  engagements  as 
a  ballad  singer,  notably  Carncross  and  Dixey's  in  Philadelphia  in  1862,  and 
the  San  Franciscos  in  New  York,  in  August,  I069. 


&^/T^ift"^;\rr 


A  I'RijAIINENT  BOSTON  COMPANY;  1859. 

LON   MORRIS 
J.    T.   TROWBRIDGE  BILLY    MORRIS  JOHNNY    PELL 


A  FAMOUS  NEW  YORK  ORGANIZATION;  1865. 

BILLY  BIRCH  DAVE  WAMBOLD 

WM.  H.  BERNARD  CHARLEY  BACKUS 


Ii8  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

He  was  born  at  Hebronville,  Mass.,  February  17,  1837;  he  died  in  Paris, 
France,   September   10,    1889. 

W.  W.  Pierce  (Billy  McMahon),  was  a  well-known  young  comedian  of 
promise. 

In  the  Spring  of  i860  he  played  an  engagement  at  Bob  Butler's  Variety 
Theatre  in  New  York,  where  he  made  a  pronounced  hit  dancing  the  "Es- 
sence of  Old  Virginny." 

He  died  in  Herkimer,  N.  Y.,  January  2,  1864;  age  27  years. 

Ambrose  A.  Th.'WER,  a  young  singer  who  was  promiennt  with  the  Morris 
Brothers,  Pell  and  Trowbridge  Minstrels,  in  Boston,  died  there,  June  10, 
1863  ;  age  26  years. 

Billy  Quinn  was  one  of  the  best  dancers  of  his  day,  and  played  conspicuous 
minstrel  engagements,  notably  with  Bryant's  in  New  York,  commencing 
October   12,   1857. 

He  was  the  husband  of  the  celebrated  danseuse,  Mary  Blake,  who  sub- 
sequently married  Bobby  Newcomb. 

Billy  Quinn  died  in  New  York  City,  November  29,  1863;  age  26  years. 

Cooper  and  Fields  were  one  of  the  very  best  double  clog  dancing  teams  in 
minstrelsy,  as  well  as  one  of  the  earliest. 

In  1864  they  were  with  the  Raynor  "Christy"  Minstrels,  and  the  follow- 
ing year  they  joined  the  San  Francisco  minstrels  in  New  York ;  subsequently 
they  were  with  Kelly  and  Leon's,  and  Buckley's  Minstrels  in  the  same  city. 
They  played   an   engagement   with    Haverly's   Minstrels   in   June,    1869. 

James  Cooper  was  in  business  in  Paterson,  N.  J.,  several  years  prior  to 
his  death.     Hist  last  professional  appearance  was  also  in  Paterson. 

James  H.  Cooper  died  in  Paterson,  N.  J.,  January  24,  1905,  age  68  years. 

William  Fields  died  in  New  York  City  November  18,   1883. 

SiG.  Raphael  Abecco  gained  distinction  in  minstrelsy  chiefly  for  his  excellent 
performance  on  the  harp :  but  was  also  a  fine  tenor  singer,  and  a  composer 
of  repute. 

As  early  as  October  20,  1857,  he  was  with  Matt.  Peel's  Minstrels,  and 
continued  with  Peel  until  the  latter's  death  in  1859.  August  27,  i860,  he 
began  a  season's  engagement  at  Sanford's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia ;  in  the 
Spring  of  1861  fulfilling  a  short  season  with  Unsworth's  Minstrels;  he  re- 
turned to  Sanford's  for  the  season  of  1861-62. 

July  7,  1862,  he  opened  with  \\'ood's  Minstrels  in  New  York  City,  and 
in  1863  Birch,  Cotton,  Wells  and  Abecco's  Minstrels  inaugurated  their  sea- 
son in  San  Francisco.  In  1865  he  sailed  for  Australia  and  remained  abroad 
imtil  1872.  January'  9,  1875  he  opened  with  Simmons  and  Slocum's  Min- 
strels in  Philadelphia,  and  the  following  season  was  a  member  of  Simmons, 
Slocum  and  Sweatnam's  Minstrels  in  the  same  city.  His  last  engagement 
was   with    Emerson's   Minstrels,   December  25,    1878. 

Sig.  Abecco  was  of  foreign  birth  ;  he  died  in  Chicago,  111.,  January  3, 
1879;  age  42  years. 


"TACK"    HAVERI.Y 


Q^EE}f 


ALL  GOOD  DRAVVNG  CARDS— HI,  LOW,  JACK,  KING  and  QUEEN. 


FROM  '•DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  119 

Frank  B.  Converse.  The  name  of  Converse  is  indissolubly  associated 
with  all  that  is  great  in  banjo  playing. 

Mr.  Converse  began  the  study  of  music  at  the  immature  age  of  6;  at 
14  he  took  up  the  banjo,  devoting  all  his  spare  time  to  study.  His  first  pro- 
fessional appearance  was  with  McFarland,  in  Detroit. 

He  joined  JNIatt.  Peel's  Minstrels  in  1856,  remaining  until  the  Spring  of 
1858. 

Subsequently  he  gave  banjo  lessons  in  Memphis,  Tenn.  Later  he 
joined  Mrs.  Matt.  Peel's  Minstrels;  March  19,  1867,  with  George  Coes  and 
Sam  Purdy,  organized  Purdy,  Coes  and  Converse's  Minstrels.  Mr.  Con- 
verse at  various  times  had  schools  in  St.  Louis,  San  Francisco  and  New 
York. 

He  was  the  author  of  many  high  class  works  on  the  banjo,  including 
a  book  for  beginners. 

Frank  B.  Converse  was  born  in  Westfield,  Mass.,  June  17,  1837 ;  he  died 
in  New  York  City,  September  5.  190,3. 

"Chuck"  (Charles  H.)  Atkinson,  one  of  the  great  bone  players  of 
minstrelsy,  when  the  artistic  handling  of  them  was  an  art,  began  his  pro- 
fessional career  in  1847,  being  then  known  as  Master  Charles,  a  singer  with 
one  of  the  early  organizations ;  shortly  afterwards  he  was  with  the  famous 
"Yankee"  Locke  for  a  period  of  five  weeks.  What  might  be  termed  his 
regular  career  began  a  little  later  with  John  Carle  (Uncle  John,  the  "Lively 
Flea")  ;  he  remained  with  Carle  three  years ;  subsequently  going  to  Boston, 
where  he  was  several  years  in  stock. 

He  played  frequently  with  the  Morris  Brothers  in  Boston,  and  suc- 
ceeded Joe  Murphy  after  the  latter  had  separated  from  Ben  Cotton ;  Mur- 
phy himself  was  a  great  bone  performer,  and  Atkinson  simply  had  to  be  good 
to  hold  the  position  he  did  with  so  much  credit. 

Other  engagements  were  Boyce  &  Mudge's  Minstrels,  1866,  and  "Green's 
Mocking  Bird  Minstrels"  in  1871  :  his  last  minstrel  engagement  was  with 
Sam  Sharpley.  He  retired  from  the  profession  about  20  years  before  his 
death. 

Charles  Atkinson  was  born  at  Limington,  Maine,  December  I,  1837;  he 
died  at  Brookline,  Mas%.,  February  2,   1909. 

Tom  McNally  was  one  of  the  premier  "leaders"  and  violinists  of  minstrelsy. 

In  1859  he  was  at  Burtis'  VaVieties  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  the  following 
year  he  joined  Cool  White's  Broadway  Minstrels. 

In  1861  he  was  with  George  Christy's  company,  and  the  same  year  was 
also  with  William  Christy's  and  Fox  and  Sharpley's  Minstrels. 

October  28,  1861,  he  was  with  Hooley's  Minstrels  at  their  first  perform- 
ance in  New  York.  Mr.  McNally  was  with  Hooley  also  when  the  latter 
went  to  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  opening  in  September,  1862 ;  he  continued  with 
Hooley  several  seasons. 

Early  in  1866  he  was  with  Wood's  IMinstrels.  and  on  October  21.  that 
year,  he  sailed  for  Europe  with  the  American  Minstrels ;  they  opened  in 
London,  December  5,   1866. 

Subsequently  Mr.  McNally  returned  to  the  United  States,  and  at  vari- 
ous times  was  associated  with  several  prominent  minstrel  organizations. 


I20  M  ON  ARCH  S  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Tom  McNally  was  born  in  Albany,  N.  Y. ;  he  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y., 
May  25,  1872;  age  35  years. 

J.  H.  Haverly  (Christopher  Haverly)  began  his  theatrical  career  in  1864 
in  Toledo,  O..  where  he  purchased  a  variety  theatre,  and  conducted  until 
December,   1866. 

There  are  many  to-day  who  think  that  the  great  showman,  who  was 
the  first  to  place  minstrelsy  on  a  gigantic  scale,  began  as  a  minstrel  man- 
ager with  Cal.  Wagner  in  1870.     Such  is  far  from  being  the  truth. 

The  first  performance  of  Haverly's  Minstrels  was  given  at  Adrian, 
Mich.,  August  I,  1864;  the  season  terminated  at  Ypsilanti,  Mich.,  on  the 
25th  of  August,  same  year. 

On  October  8,  1864,  Cool  Burgess  and  Haverly's  Minstrels  were  inaug- 
urated at  Toronto,  Canada,  and  November  i,  it  was  again  Haverly's  Min- 
strels ;  it  remained  as  such  until  December  27,  following,  when  Charles 
Mallory,  who  had  a  minstrel  company,  formed  an  alliance  with  Mr.  Hav- 
erly, and  on  the  above  date  at  Titusville,  Pa.,  Haverly  and  Mallory 's  Com- 
bination  Minstrels   gave   their  first  performance. 

In  1866  Haverly  and  (Dick)  Sands'  Minstrels  toured  for  several  weeks, 
and  the  following  year  Mr.  Haverly  assumed  the  management  of  Billy  Ar- 
lington's Minstrels.  Haverly's  Minstrels  were  again  organized,  and  at 
Peoria,  111.,  November  11,  1868,  gave  their  initial  performance;  the  season 
closed  in  the  Summer  of  1869. 

In  the  Fall  of  1870,  he  assumed  the  management  of  Cal.  Wagner's  ]\Iin- 
strels,  and  continued  with  them  for  three  years,  after  which,  in  November, 
1873,  at  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  Haverly's  Minstrels  began  in  earnest.  Not  sat- 
isfied with  one  minstrel  company,  he  purchased  an  interest  from  Tom  Ma- 
guire  in  Emerson's  Minstrels  in  October,  1875 ;  secured  the  New  Orleans 
Minstrels  in  1876,  and  Callender's  Colored  Minstrels  in  1878.  In  the  mean- 
time he  purchased  the  Adelphi  Theatre  in  Chicago,  in  1876;  the  first  of  the 
very  many  he  ultimately  owned  or  controlled. 

October  21,  1878,  he  organized  his  famous  Mastodons  in  Chicago;  they 
opened  in  London,  England,  July  30,  1880,  at  Her  Majesty's  Theatre,  where 
they  played  seventeen  weeks. 

In  May,  1884.  they  returned  to  London,  and  made  a  tour  of  the  Prov- 
inces, where  the  final  performance  was^given  in  Glasgow,  Scotland,  late  in 
February,  1885. 

Haverly's  ]\Iinstrels  continued  for  several  years  after  that ;  the  last 
company  in  which  Mr.  Haverly  was  directly  interested  began  a  season  in 
the  Summer  of  1898.  His  last  amusement  venture  began  in  Brooklyn,  N. 
Y.,  May  11,  1901,  where  for  a  brief  period  he  conducted  a  small  museum. 

"Jack"  Haverly  was  a  fine  man  and  a  lovable  character ;  none  did  more 
for  minstrelsy  than  he,  and  some  of  the  greatest  names  in  theatricals  were 
once  associated  with  him. 

He  was  twice  married ;  his  wives  being  the  Duval  (Hechinger)  Sis- 
ters, well-known  vocalists. 

Mrs.  Sara  Haverly  died  at  Toledo,  O.,  March  i,  1867;  subsequently  he 
married  Eliza  Duval,  who  died  in  New  York,  July  4,   1910. 


M.    HOOLEY 


CIIA.S,   A.    M0KRI3 


AL.    G.    FIELD 


GEO.   R.   GUY 


D.  C.   LA  RUE 


HARRY   ROBINSON 


HEADS    OF    FAMOUS    MINSTREL    ORGANIZATIONS;    PAST    AND 

PRESENT. 


C22  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

J.  H.  Haverly  was  born  in  Bellefonte,  Pa.,  June  30,  1837;  he  died  in  Salt 
Lake  City,  Utah,  September  28,  1901. 

Add  Ryman  (John  Addison  Ryman)  was  one  of  the  greatest  burlesque 
actors  that  minstrelsy  ever  knew. . 

He  was  likewise  famed  as  a  stump  orator,  in  which  he  was  different 
from  all  of  his  contemporaries. 

His  debut  as  a  minstrel  was  made  in  1859.  In  1871,  Hart,  Ryman,  and 
Barney's  Minstrels  were  organized.  Subsequently  he  was  with  Emerson's 
Minstrels  in  San  Francisco,  and  with  the  San  Francisco  Minstrels  in  New 
York  about  six  years. 

He  left  the  above  company  with  George  Thatcher,  and  opened  Thatcher 
and  Ryman's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  December  20,  1880,  as  a  permanent 
organization. 

In  1882  he  took  a  minstrel  company  to  Australia,  remaining  about  two 
years.  He  later  re-engaged  with  Emerson's  Minstrels,  and  in  September, 
1887,  with  ^^'m.  Henry  Rice  and  John  Hart,  organized  a  company  bearing 
their  names. 

Mr.  Ryman's  late  years  were  with  dramatic  companies.  Add  Ryman 
was  born  in  Ohio:  he  died  (suicide)  in  New  York,  June  27,  1896;  age  59 
years. 

SiD  C.  Fr.\nce,  famous  for  many  years  for  his  drama  "Marked  for 
Life,"  in  which  he  enacted  a  black-face  part  which  was  the  principal  char- 
acter, was  born  in  Landsport,  England,  October  4,  1838;  he  died  in  New 
York,  May  25,   1895. 

The  Norton  Brothers  made  their  first  appearance  as  the  Norton  Family 
in  Roxbury,  Mass.,  in  1848  or  1849 ;  accounts  vary. 

Wash.  Norton  subsequently  went  with  Ordway's  Aeolians  in  Boston, 
where  he  remained  a  long  time.  November  14,  1859,  Wash,  and  Tim  Nor- 
ton opened  at  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York. 

When  seventeen  months  later,  Jerry  Bryant  died,  it  was  Tim  Norton 
who  took  his  place ;  Wash,  having  left  New  York  about  a  month  previous 
for  England,  later  visiting  Africa  and  Australia ;  in  the  latter  country  they 
declared  he  was  the  best  burlesque  dancer  that  ever  visited  their  shores. 

\\'ash.  returned  to  the  United  States  in  1866,  and  remained  six  years; 
he  subsequently  made  two  other  trips  to  foreign  lands.  The  Nortons  were 
good  comedians,  and  great  dancers. 

Tim  Norton  died  January  25,  1862,  in  New  York,  age  24  years. 

John  Norton  died  in  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  January  24,  1868. 

Wash.  Norton  was  born  in  New  Orleans,  La.,  February  22,  1839;  he 
died  in  Shasta  Co.,  Cal.,  November  16,  1899. 

D.'\N.  Shelby  (]\Iacher).  who  was  the  well-known  manager  of  the  Adel- 
phi  Theatre  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  and  the  Academy  of  Music  and  Columbia 
Theatre  in  Chicago,  at  various  times,  began  his  professional  career  in  Paris, 
Ind.,  in   1853;  it  was  there  he  first  blacked  up. 

He   played   several   minstrel   and   circus   engagements   until    1865,  when 


FROM  "DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  123 

he  launched   Shelby's  Minstrels ;  in   1868  he  again  put  a  minstrel   company 
on  the  road.     Mr.  Shelby  was  subsequently  a  clown  in  a  circus. 

Dan.  Shelby  was  born  in  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  January   i,  1838;  he  died  in 
.  Wilkesbarre,  Pa.,  February  4,  1895. 

F.WETTE  Welch  (Patrick  Walsh).  The  career  of  this  once  celebrated 
comedian  which  was  suddenly  and  violently  ended,  commenced  about  fifty 
years  ago. 

He  joined  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  the  late  6o's,  and  became  a  great 
favorite  in  the  Brooklyn  playhouse.  In  the  Summer  of  1869  he  was  with 
Haverly's  Minstrels,  and  while  with  that  company  did  an  act  which  he 
called  the  Musical  Sensation,  playing  on  a  number  of  instruments,  conclud- 
ing by  dancing  a  jig,  accompanying  himself  by  playing  a  flute  at  the  same 
time. 

Mr.  Welch  next  went  with  Kelly  and  Leon's  Company,  and  in  August, 
1870,  joined  Buckley's  Serenaders  in  New  York. 

The  following  month,  commencing  the  12th,  he  became  co-proprietor  of 
Welch,  Hughes  and  White's  Minstrels,  a  permanent  company  in  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y. :  they  continued  there  about  a  year. 

^Ir.  Welch  subsequently  appeared  with  Simmons  and  Slocum's  Min- 
strels in  Philadelphia.  He  was  with  Haverly's  when  that  gentleman  organ- 
ized his  company  in  November,  1873,  ^"^  with  Neil  Bryant's  Minstrels  five 
years  later.  During  an  altercation  between  Mr.  Welch  and  William  Gould, 
a  vaudeville  performer,  the  latter  shot  and  immediately  killed  Fayette  Welch 
in  Boston,  Mass.,  March  6,  1892. 

Mr.  Welch  was  born  in  Galway,  Ireland,  about  1838. 

James  W.  Lamont  (Williams)  was  prominent  for  many  years  as  a  bari- 
tone vocalist  and  interlocutor  in  minstrelsy.  In  1864  he  was  with  Sharp- 
ley's  Minstrels,  and  m   1880  with  Kyle's  "Christy's"  in  Boston. 

The  major  portion  of  his  career  was  spent  in  Philadelphia,  where  he 
went  in  the  6o's  as  a  member  of  Carncross  and  Dixey's  Minstrels. 

Air.   Lamont  died  in  Philadelphia,  December  24,   1894;  age  56  years. 


"Leon,"  the  dean  of  minstrel  female  impersonators,  did  a  stump  speech 
with  Kelly  and   Leon's  Minstrels,  January,   1870. 


Pete  Lee  (Shea)  was  conceded  to  be  one  of  the  greatest  tambourinists 
in  minstrelsy ;  as  a  comedian,  he  was  excellent. 

As  early  as  February,  1858,  he  was  touring  with  Pete  Lee's  Empire  i\Iin- 
strels. 

He  joined  Buckleys  Serenaders  in  the  6o's,  and  continued  with  them  for 
several  seasons. 

August  28.  1871,  he  made  his  first  appearance  in  Philadelphia,  as  a  mem- 
ber of  Simmons  and  Slocum's  Minstrels. 

He  was  also  prominently  identified  with  the  companies  of  Morris  Broth- 
ers, and  Sharpley's.  In  1872  he  opened  Bishop's  Opera  House  in  St.  Johns, 
N.  B.,  renaming  it  Lee's  Opera  House,  and  conducting  it  for  several  years. 

His  last  professional  appearance  was  about   1878. 


124  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

A  son,  Wilbor  F.  Shea,  is  manager  of  the  Memorial  Opera  House,  East- 
port,  Me. 

Pete  Lee  was  born  in  Cambridge,  Mass.,  January  6,  1838;  he  died  in 
Eastport,  Me.,  October  11,   1896. 

J.  R.  Kemble  (Taylor),  one  of  the  best  interlocutors  of  minstrelsy,  made 
his  debut  at  Paterson,  N.  J.,  February  2,  1863,  with  Hart  and  Simmon's 
Minstrels,  appearing  under   his   own   name. 

Subsequently   he  joined   the   Morris'  Minstrels,   remaining  five  years. 

Later  he  became  a  member  of  Emerson  and  Manning's  Minstrels,  and 
after  these  artists  separated  early  in  1870,  Mr.  Kemble  cast  his  fortunes  with 
the  latter  in  Chicago.  In  that  same  city  (Billy)  Arlington,  (Ben)  Cotton 
and  Kemble's  Minstrels  were  organized  in  1871,  and  continued  there  about 
three  years. 

In  1875  Mr.  Kemble  was  with  Emerson's  Minstrels  in  Chicago. 

He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Dearborn  Minstrels  in  the  Illinois  Metro- 
polis, opening  August  21,  1871. 

Likewise  in  Chicago  did  he  join  Haverly's  Minstrels,  March  11,  1878, 
and  September  16,  same  year,  he  began  a  brief  engagement  with  Sweatnam's 
Minstrels   in   Philadelphia. 

Mr.  Kemble  then  went  to  England,  and  was  with  Moore  and  Burgess' 
Minstrels  for  about  twenty  years. 

He  married   Miss   Ella  Turner,  an  actress,  about   1870. 

J.  R.  Kemble  was  born  in  Kent,  England,  1838 ;  he  died  in  London,  Eng- 
land, June  II,  1908. 

George  W.  Charles,  the  old-time  wench  dancer  made  his  first  appearance 
at  the  International  Theatre  in  New  York  in  1852;  subsequently  he  was 
with  Dave.  Reed's  Minstrels  on  Spalding  and  Rogers'  boat  the  "James 
Raymond,"  this  was  as  early  as  July  18,  1856 ;  after  tliis  he  did  sketches  with 
Billy  Coleman.  In  1869  he  was  with  Carncross  and  Di.xey's  Minstrels  in 
Philadelphia ;  he  remained  there  several  seasons,  and  was  a  prime  favorite. 

Mr.  Charles  was  among  the  earliest  black-face  prima  donnas. 

George  W.  Charles  died  in  New  York  City,  May  8,  1885;  age  47  years. 

Kit  Clarke  (Morse  Myers)  is  one  of  the  oldest  living  minstrel  managers. 
His  professional  career  began  in  1858  as  a  programmer  with  the  Satterlee 
and  Bell  Circus ;  Mr.  Clarke  continued  in  the  circus  business  practically  for 
twenty  years. 

In  1877  he  became  general  manager  for  M.  B.  Leavitt's  attractions, 
and  continued  until  1881,  in  which  year  he  managed  the  Gigantean  Min- 
strels. 

His  next  engagement  was  with  J.  H.  Haverly's  Minstrels,  with  whom 
he  remained  three  )'ears. 

Later  he  retired  from  theatrical  life  to  enter  mercantile  business. 

Kit  Clarke  was  born  February  21,  1838,  in  New  York  City. 

Billy  Allen  was  a  well-known  jig  and  "Essence"  dancer  in  the  6o's,  play- 
ing some  of  the  principal  minstrel  organizations  of  that  period,  such  as  Ar- 
lington's;   Fred.  Wilson's;  Mrs.  Matt.   Peel's;  SkifT  and  Gaylord's;  George 


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126  MONARCHS  OF  iMINSTRELSY, 

Christy's,  and  Carncross  and  Dixey's.  He  subsequently  gave  dancing  les- 
sons in  Chicago.  In  his  early  career  he  was  known  as  one  of  the  best 
dressed  men  in  the  profession. 

Billy  Allen  died  in  Chicago,  August  19,  1890;  age  52  years. 

Sam  Cole,  the  real  old-time  black-face  comedian,  is  in  no  way  related  to 
the  old  king  of  that  name  ;  though  he  has  associated  with  them  for  many 
years ;  also  queens  and  jacks. 

Air.  Cole  is  said  to  be  amongst  the  living.     But  who  has  the  address? 

Lew  Simmons  has  the  distinction  of  being  the  oldest  active  black-face 
performer  in  the  world. 

He  commenced  his  career  as  an  amateur  in  Warren,  O.,  in  1849,  play- 
ing the  banjo,   in  black-iace. 

In  1857  Mr.  Simmons  went  to  Jake  Beler's  Music  Hall  in  Detroit,  Mich., 
where  he  did  his  little  turn  for  one  dollar  per  night,  and  four  beer  tickets ; 
which  being  a  minor,  he  was  unable  to  use. 

In  December,  1859,  he  made  his  first  New  York  appearance  at  the  pop- 
ular Melodeon.  In  1861  he  joined  Hooley  and  Campbell's  Minstrels,  and 
early  in  1863  in  conjunction  with  Bob  Hart  organized  a  minstrel  company 
bearing  their  names. 

Subsequently  he  played  an  engagement  with  the  Morris  Minstrels,  and 
on  August  22,  1864,  made  his  first  appearance  at  Carncross  and  Dixey's  Min- 
strels in  Philadelphia,  where  he  became  a  great  local  favorite.  He  remained 
with  that  company  until  within  a  few  months  of  the  opening  of  Simmons 
and  Slocum's  Minstrels  at  the  Arch  Street  Opera  House  in  Philadelphia 
(which  was  built  for  them),  August  29,  1870.  Mr.  Simmons  continued  at 
this  house  intermittently  until  1878.  In  the  fall  of  1875,  Billy  Sweatnam 
was  admitted  as  a  partner,  under  the  firm  name  of  Simmons,  Slocum  and 
Svveatnam's  Minstrels;  in  October,  1876,  Simmons  and  Slocum  withdrew. 
September  11,  1886,  Simmons  and  Slocum's  Minstrels  again  opened  at  their 
old  home  in  Philadelphia.  In  1878  Mr.  Simmons  visited  England  and  South 
Africa  professionally. 

About  twenty  years  ago  he  played  Uncle  Eph.,  an  aged  negro,  in 
"Shiloh." 

He  left  the  profession  in  the  8o's,  vowing  never  to  return,  but  he  did, 
in  the  early  go's ;  Clark  Gibbs,  Tommy  Harris  and  Frank  H.  White,  with 
whom  he  is  now  playing  vaudeville,  were  his  partners  at  various  times. 

Did  I  say  that  he  was  one  of  the  owners  of  the  Athletic  Club  of  the 
American  Association,  which  won  the  championshi])  in  1883?     Well,  he  was. 

Lew  Simmons  was  born  in  New  Castle,  Pa.,  August  2y,  1838. 

J.  H.  SuRRiDGE  was  one  of  the  prominent  singers  of  minstrelsy.  His 
first  appearance  was  with  Hart  and  Simmons'  Minstrels  early  in  1863.  That 
same  year  he  joined  the  Morris  Minstrels,  and  in  1865  was  with  Raynor's 
"Christy's." 

In  April,  1866,  he  opened  with  J.  H.  Clifford's  Great  American  Min- 
strels ;  April  17,  company  closed  at  Troy,  N.  Y.  September  10,  1866,  he 
opened  with  Sands  and  Herbert's  Minstrels. 

With  Sweeny,  Hussey  and  Felton's  Company,  he  sailed  for  Hong  Kong, 


FROM  "DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  127 

October  11,  1866;  storm  tossed  he  returned  to  New  York  five  days  later; 
another  five  days  he  again  set  sail  for  Ireland  and  England,  opening  in  Lon- 
don, December  5,  1866.  Early  in  1867  he  went  to  play  an  engagement  with 
"Pony"  Moore  and  his  associates,  also  in  London. 

Mr.  Surridge  arrived  back  in  the  LTnited  States,  November  23,  1868, 
and  shortly  after  joined  Kelly  and  Leon's  Company  at  their  New  York  thea- 
tre. He  continued  with  them  when  they  opened  in  Chicago,  March  2,  i86g, 
and  subsequently  was  one  of  Kelly  and  Leon's  "Associated  Artists,"  after 
these   two  performers  went  to   England. 

Later  Mr.  Surridge  joined  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and 
with  Susie  Galton's  Opera  Company  played  the  Dutch  comedy  part,  suc- 
ceeding W.  H.  Crane. 

On  April  17,  1871,  he  opened  in  New  York  City  with  Nevvcomb  and 
Arlington's    Rlinstrels. 

Januarj'  22,  1872,  he  became  a  member  of  Arlington,  Cotton  and  Kem- 
Me's  Minstrels  in  Chicago,  and  continued  with  them  about  three  years,  after 
wliich  he  joined  E.  M.  Hall,  E.  M.  Kayne  and  Ned  Wamhold's  Minstrels, 
April  10,  1875.  That  same  yea*-  Mr.  Surridge  rejoined  Kelly  and  Leon's 
Company,  and  continued  with  them  when  in  February,  1878,  they  sailed  for 
Australia.  He  returned  in  February,  1879,  and  joined  M.  B.  Leavitt's  Com- 
pany in  San  Francisco. 

In  the  Summer  of  1879  he  entered  the  hotel  business  at  Rockaway 
Beach,  N.  Y.,  and  in  the  Fall  of  that  year  joined  Pat  Rooney's  Company  as 
manager. 

The  following  season  of  1880-81,  was  at  the  London  Theatre  in  New 
York.  In  the  Fall  of  1881  he  went  to  Hopkins  and  Morrow's  Theatre  in 
Providence,  R.  I.,  for  a  brief  stay,  leaving  there  to  join  Haverly's  Minstrels, 
where  he  remained  but  two  weeks,  when  he  joined  M.  B.  Leavitt  and  con- 
tinued with  him  as  manager  for  the  latter's  attractions  until  1883,  when  he 
went  to  London,  England,  with  "Evangeline,"  in  which  he  played  Cathar- 
ine; this  engagement  was  folk)wed  by  one  with  Moore  and  Burgess'  Min- 
strels, also  in  London. 

Mr.  Surridge  returned  to  New  York  in  February,  1884,  and  at  once 
joined  the   Leon  and  Cushman  combination. 

In  the  Fall  of  1884  he  assumed  the  management  of  Dick  Gorman,  in 
"The  Hand  of  a  Friend."  He  piloted  the  same  attraction  season  of  1885- 
86,  after  which  he  retired  from  theatricals  and  went  into  business  in  New 
York. 

J.  H.  Surridge  was  born  in  London,  England,  January  27,  1838 ;  he  died 
in  New  York  City,  March  30,  1910. 

RoLLiN  Howard  (Ebenezer  G.  B.  Holder)  was  one  of  the  most  cultured 
and  capable  female  impersonators  of  minstrelsy. 

He  appeared  on  the  legitimate  stage  for  about  five  years  previous  to 
his  minstrel  debut,  which  was  made  with  Wood's  Minstrels  in  the  Spring  of 
i860.  In  the  Fall  of  that  year,  for  a  brief  period,  he  was  associated  in  the 
management  of  Howard  and  Campbell's  Minstrels. 

February  4,  1861,  he  made  his  first  appearance  with  Hooley  and  Camp- 
bell's Minstrels  in  New  York,  and  for  several  seasons  played  successful  en- 
gagements with  nearly  every  prominent  minstrel  company  there  was. 


128  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

About  1870  he  left  minstrelsy,  and  after  a  period  in  opera,  played  sev- 
eral years  in  variety  houses.  In  1868  he  played  Topsy  in  "Uncle  Tom's 
Cabin,"  and  in   1878  was  manager  of  the  jMelodcon  in  Philadelphia. 

His  last  appearance  was  with  his  own  company. 

Rollin  Howard  was  born  in  New  York  City  about  1840;  he  died  in  Bos- 
ton, Mass.,  June  19,  1879. 

Master  Barney  (Bernard  Scholar)  was  one  of  the  greatest  dancers  in 
minstrelsy.  His  first  appearance  was  at  Burtis'  Varieties  in  Brooklyn,  N. 
Y.,  about  1858;  he  met  Add.  Weaver  here,  and  was  associated  with  him  sev- 
eral years. 

In  1859  he  joined  Campbell's  Minstrells,  and  subsequently  with  such 
well-known  organizations  as  Morris  Brothers,  Pell  and  Trowbridge,  Mrs. 
Matt.  Peel's,  Hooley  and  Campbell's  and  others. 

July  17,  1869,  was  organized  Dougherty,  Wild,  Barney  and  Mac's  Min- 
strels ;  subsequently  Hughey  Dougherty  retiring,  the  company  continued  for 
a  brief  period. 

In  1871  it  was  Hart,  Ryman  and  Barney's  Minstrels. 

About  that  time  Master  Barney  formed  a  partnership  with  Sam  Rickey, 
playing  sketches,  of  which  "Bad  Whiskey"  was  the  most  successful. 

They  separated  about  1877,  and  later  he  formed  an  alliance  with  Bar- 
ney McNuIty,  being  known  as  the  Two  Barneys. 

"Master"  Barney  was  born  in  Bufifalo,  N.  Y.,  December  29,  1839;  he 
died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  February  25,  1886. 

James  Glenn  (McDonald)  was  a  well-known  vocalist  in  the  good  old  days 
of  minstrelsy. 

His  first  appearance  was  made  with  Sam  Sanford's  Minstrels  in  1858; 
he  continued  with  him,  chiefly  in  Philadelphia,  until  1862,  when  he  joined 
Wood's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  with  whom  he  remained  a  lenghty  period. 

Subsequently  he  was  with  the  San  Franciscos  in  New  York,  and  Hoo- 
ley's  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

James  Glenn  was  born  in  Philadelphia  in  1839 ;  he  died  in  New  York, 
February  26,  1870. 

Billy  Manning.  Minstrels  may  come  and  go,  but  like  the  brook,  the 
name  and  fame  of  this  brilliant  performer  seems  destined  to  live  forever; 
for  while  more  than  three  decades  have  passed  since  Billy  Manning  passed 
away,  each  generation  in  his  native  city  seems  as  familiar  with  his  former 
stage  triumphs  as  those  that  were  contemporaneous  with  him. 

His  career  started  in  1859,  on  the  boat  "Dixie";  where  Manning,  who 
was  very  proficient  with  the  "bones,"  played  an  end  with  a  minstrel  show. 

In  the  fall  of  1862  he  was  with  Campbell's  Minstrels,  and  on  November 
23.  1863,  he  joined  Morningstar's  company.  The  engagement  was  a  brief 
one,  and  he^next  opened  with  Rumsey's  Minstrels,  with  whom  he  closed 
May  27,  1864 ;  opening  with  Hooley  in  Brooklyn,  three  days  later. 

That  same  year  he  was  with  Morris  and  Wilson's  Minstrels,  and  in  i86;f 
with  Dan  Shelby's  Company.  Engagements  with  Kunkel's  Nightingales: 
Haight  and  Chamber's  Circus  and  LaRue's  Minstrels  followed. 

In   September,    1867,  he   joined   Newcomb's   Minstrels,   continuing  with 


LUKE   WEST 


NED  WEST 


"LOOKING  WEST." 


ARTHUR  RIGBY  ARTHUR    DEMING 

A  PAIR  OF  ARTISTIC  ARTHURS 


MASTER    BARNEY  SAM    RICKEY 

THEY  WERE  ALWAYS  MASTERS. 


130  MONARCHS  OF  MIMSTRELSV, 

this  company  until  the  following  Summer,  when  he  left  Newcomb,  and  in 
association  with  Billy  Emerson  and  Johnny  Allen,  formed  a  minstrel  company 
bearing  their  names. 

May  22,  1869,  Mr.  Allen  dropped  out  of  the  organization,  which  was 
thereafter  known  as  Emerson  and  Manning's.  In  January,  1870,  in  Chicago, 
the  partners  separated,  and  Manning  continued  at  the  Dearborn  Theatre  in 
that  city  with  jManning's  Minstrels,  where  he  remained  several  months. 

Under  the  financial  management  of  Tom  Foley,  of  Chicago,  the  company 
went  on  tour  in  the  Fall  of  1871,  giving  their  first  performance  at  Xenia,  Ohio, 
October  19. 

July  6,  1872,  Mr.  Manning  severed  his  association  as  head  of  the  com- 
pany, which  subsequently  was  known  as  Newcomb's  Minstrels,  in  Cincinnati. 
September  2,  1872,  in  that  city,  he  began  a  brief  engagement  with  Wm.  Henry 
Rice's  Minstrels,  and  on  October  28  he  opened  with  Frank  Moran's  Minstrels 
in  Philadelphia. 

At  the  end  of  the  season  Mr.  Manning  became  associated  with  Moran, 
and  opened  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  April  21,  1873,  as  Moran  and  Manning's  Mins- 
trels. Mr.  Manning  then  went  to  San  Francisco,  where,  June  30,  he  began 
an  extended  engagement  with  Maguire's  Minstrels,  terminating  February  21 
following.  April  6,  he  made  his  first  appearance  with  Simmons  and  Slocum's 
Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  finished  the  balance  of  that  season. 

His  debut  with  Kelly  and  Leon's  Company  in  Chicago  was  made  August 
31,  1874,  where,  with  only  a  slight  break,  he  played  all  that  season. 

July  12,  1875,  he  commenced  a  brief  engagement  with  Neil  Bryant's 
Minstrels,  and  on  November  8,  Billy  Manning,  who  was  then  far  from  being 
a  well  man,  began  what  was  destined  to  be  his  last  engagement,  with  his  old 
partner,  Billy  Emerson,  with  the  latter's  minstrels. 

January  9,  1870,  he  married  Mollie  Williams,  a  well-known  actress. 

Billy  Manning  was  born  in  Piqua,  Ohio,  May  15,  1839;  he  died  in  Chi- 
cago, 111.,  May  19,  1876. 

Charley  Gardner  (Bumberry),  known  as  "Hop  Light  Loo"  Gardner, 
from  the  fact  that  he  originated  the  black-face  song  and  dance  of  that  name 
for  the  first  time  at  an  amateur  minstrel  performance  in  Augusta,  Ga. ;  this 
was  in  the  late  50's. 

In  1861  he  was  with  Duprez  and  Green's  Minstrels,  and  later  with  Burgess, 
Prendergast  and  LaRue's  Minstrels.  Early  in  1867  he  toured  with  "Cool" 
Burgess  with  a  minstrel  company  bearing  their  names. 

Mr.  Gardner  played  a  brief  engagement  with  the  San  Francisco  Minstrels 
111  New  York,  and  with  Emerson  and  Manning's  Company  in  Chicago. 

He  was  the  author  of  the  following  songs:  "Sift  Sand  Sal,"  "Walk  Dad 
Lou"  and  "Over  in  Jersey." 

Charley  Gardner  was  born  in  Toronto,  Canada,  July  24,  1839;  he  died 
in  Long  Island  City,  N.  Y.,  May  17,  1909. 

Dick  MgGowan  was  well-known  as  a  banjoist  and  a  comedian  in  the  6o's ; 
during  which  period  he  was  with  Yankee  Hill's  Minstrels,  Harris  and  Smith's, 
Dick  McGowan's,  and  some  more.  As  Mr.  McGowan  failed  to  keep  his  prom- 
ise and  give  the  author  more  data,  this  sketch  must  necessarily  be  curtailed. 
Sorry.    Mr.  McGowan  was  born  in  New  York,  December  28,  1839. 


FROM  "DADDY''  RICE  TO  DATE.  131 

Johnny  "Froggy"  Pierce  (Owens)  was  a  well-known  comedian  anH  had 
been  identified  with  various  prominent  minstrel  companies,  notably  Ordway's, 
in  Boston,  in  1859;  Lloyd's,  1861  ;  Rumsey's,  1864;  Goes,  Purdy  and  Con- 
verse's, 1867;  Emerson's,  1870,  and  many  others.  He  died  in  New  York,  June 
2,  1892 ;  age  53  years. 

John  W.  Thompson  (Fitzpatrick),  known  of  late  years  as  a  manager  only 
in  the  South  and  Southwest^  in  his  early  days  was  a  well-known  black-face 
performer,  and  a  great  jig  dancer  at  a  time  when  that  style  of  dancing 
prevailed. 

Mr.  Thompson's  first  appearance  was  made  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  about  i860. 
At  one  time  he  was  associated  and  did  an  act  with  Oscar  W^illis. 

He  was  manager  at  various  times  of  theatres  in  Memphis,  Tenn. ;  Vicks- 
burg.  Miss.,  and  Dallas,  Texas,  covering  a  period  of  28  years. 

John  W.  Thompson  was  born  in  Dublin,  Ireland,  June  4,  1839;  he  died 
at.  Dallas,  Texas,  February  27,  1907. 

J.\MES  Gaynor  made  his  first  professional  appearance  with  Sharpley's  Min- 
strels about  1859,  as  second  violinist. 

He  played  several  engagements  at  Hoole3''s  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  dur- 
ing the  70's,  where  his  banjo  playing  met  with  pronounced  success ;  he  was 
equally  prominent  during  the  same  period  at  the  Howard  in  Boston.  Novem- 
ber 29.  1876.  Gaynor  and  Mudge's  (Hank)  opened  at  Butler,  Pa. 

Mr.  Gaynor  was  also  with  Mrs.  Matt.  Peel's  Minstrels  in  May,  i860. 

James  Gaynor  was  born  in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  about  1839;  he  died  in  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y.,  May  29,  1906. 

John  T.  Boyce  was  one  of  the  best  blac!:-face  comedians  of  his  day,  and 
one  of  the  earliest  performers  to  sing  an  Irish  song  on  the  end. 

His  first  appearance  was  with  Birch,  Bowers  and  Fox's  Minstrels  in 
California,  about  1857;  later  he  was  a  performer  on  the  steamer  "Banjo," 
which  plied  the  Mississippi.  Mr.  Boyce  afterward  appeared  with  such  well- 
known  organizations  as  Woods,  in  New  York  ;  Hooley's,  in  Brookh-n,  and 
Sanford's. 

May  7,  1866,  with  Hank  Mudge,  he  launched  Boyce  arid  Mudge's  Min- 
strels, and  later  was  a  member  of  Grififin  and  Christy's  Minstrels. 

His  last  appearance  was  in  June,  1867. 

John  T.  Boyce  was  born  in  Covington,  Ky.,  about  1839;  he  died  in 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  June  11,  1867. 

"Marsh"  Adams  (Marshall  Anderson),  an  excellent  and  most  natural 
delineator  of  the  old  Southern  darky,  began  his  stage  career  at  the  Race 
Street  Varieties,  Cincinnati,  in  the  late  6o's ;  he  remained  there  until  1871, 
when  he  joined  the  Hart,  Ryman  and  Barney  Minstrels  :  for  a  brief  period  he 
did  an  act  with  Milt.  Barlow.  In  1873  he  went  to  the  Metropolitan  Theatre  in 
Indianapolis,  remaining  until  1878 :  subsequently  he  was  identified  with  va- 
rious circuses,  also  Haverly's  Minstrels;  and  for  a  time  with  Walter  Le  Roy. 

It  is  said  that  he  was  the  first  to  sing  "Old  Black  Joe"  as  a  character 
song. 

His  last  appearance  was  April  15,  1885. 


132  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

:Marsh  Adams  was  born  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  January  ii,  1839;  he  died  in 
Indianapolis,  Ind.,  May  11,  1885. 

Charles  E.  Dorson  was  one  of  the  great  banjoists  of  minstrelsy. 

His  first  appearance  was  at  Winsted,  Conn.,  in  1856,  with  Sam  Hague's 
Concert   Company. 

Subsequently  he  played  in  the  stock  of  the  old  Chatham  Theatre,  New 
York,  and  later  played  in  the  orchestra  of  Wallack's  Theatre,  same  city,  at 
Thirteenth  and  Broadway. 

In  1867  he  went  to  Europe,  under  the  management  of  Corbin  and  Wall; 
while  there  he  again  joined  Sam  Hague's  Georgia  IMinstrels,  playing  London 
and  the  provinces.  On  his  return  to  the  Lhiited  States  he  played  all  the  prin- 
cipal variety  houses,  later  organized  the  Dobson  Bros.  Minstrels.  Mr.  Dobson 
was  also  associated  in  a  business  capacity  with  the  Worrell  Sisters,  the  Chap- 
man Sisters,  and  the  Wallace  Sisters :  with  the  latter  he  was  with  in  1878. 
]\Iarch  29,  1879.  he  married  Minnie  \\"allace.  They  had  a  son,  Frank  Wal- 
lace, a  clever  black-face  performer. 

About  twenty-five  years  ago  Mr.  Dobson  won  a  gold  medal  in  a  banjo 
tournament  at  Madison  Square  Garden,  New  York  City. 

Chas.  E.  Dobson  was  born  in  New  York  City,  July  21,  1839;  h^  died 
there  January  18,  1910. 

Lew  Benedict.  The  name  of  Lew  Benedict  is  one  of  the  most  prominent 
in  minstrelsy :  as  an  end  man  and  stump  speaker  he  excelled,  but  he  was 
equally  at  home  in  anything  he  undertook. 

Mr.  Benedict's  first  appearance  was  in  the  late  5o"s,  when  he  danced  the 
"Essence" ;  he  was  then  known  as  Johnny  Hodson. 

But  his  real  professional  career  commenced  April  6,  1861,  when  he  joined 
Duprez  and  Green's  Minstrels ;  he  continued  with  them  until  1865,  when  he 
bought  out  Mr.  Green's  interest :  the  organization  was  then  known  as  Duprez 
and  Benedict's  Minstrels  until  1876,  when  Mr.  Benedict  and  Mr.  Duprez  dis- 
solved partnership. 

Mr.  Benedict  then  joined  Kelly  and  Leon's  Minstrels  in  New  York  City 
in  the  Spring  of  1876;  he  remained  until  September  16;  five  days  later  he 
opened  at  Newark,  N.  J.,  with  Benedict's  Minstrels ;  the  company  closed  at 
Washington,  D.  C,  December  30,  1876;  he  subsequently  returned  to  Kelly 
and  Leon's. 

In  1878  he  ran  a  variety  theatre  in  Milwaukee,  Wis. 

Mr.  Benedict  was  with  Leavitt's  Gigantean  Minstrels  in  1881,  and  in 
later  years  with  Cleveland's,  Vogel's,  Gorman  Bros.,  and  Great  Barlow 
Minstrels. 

April  17,  1871.  he  married  Eva  De  La  Motta,  at  Mansfield,  Ohio,  and 
on  February  17,  1881,  in  New  York  City,  he  married  Miss  Fanny  Mouris. 

Of  late  years  Mr.  Benedict  has  been  playing  vaudeville. 

Lew  Benedict  was  born  in  Kingston,  Canada,  December  6,  1839. 

Carl  Rudolph  (Wilbur  Fiske  Barrell),  one  of  the  most  prominent  balladists 
in  minstrelsy,  began  his  career  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  doing  concert  work  ;  from 
which  it  was  but  a  short  step  to  burnt-cork  honors. 


LEW.— HAWKINS  &  COLLINS— BEN. 


LAMONT  &  DUCROW 


GEO.  &  WTLI.TE  GUY 
(1866) 


JNO.  P.— HOGAN  &  HUGHES— RUEY 
(1871) 


134       »  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Mr.  Rudolph  was  one  of  the  original  members  of  Billy  Emerson's  Min- 
strels, February  ii,  1870. 

In  the  Summer  of  1872  he  was  with  Sam  Sharpley  in  New  York,  and 
that  same  year  in  the  same  city  rejoined  Emerson. 

In  August,  1877,  Mr.  Rudolph  was  with  Barlow,  Wilson,  Primrose  and 
West's  Minstrels  at  the  initial  performance  of  that  organization. 

Season  of  1873  he  joined  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York  City;  the 
major  portion  of  the  balance  of  his  theatrical  career  was  spent  in  Philadelphia 
with  Carncross'  Minstrels. 

Carl  Rudolph  was  born  in  Aspenham,  Mass.,  October  29,  1839;  he  died 
in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  August  8,  1909. 

J.  K.  Buckley  (Kiley),  noted  for  his  splendid  execution  on  the  Tianjo,  an 
the  use  of  the  supplementary  fifth  string,  first  played  the  banjo  in  1861.     On 
June  6,  1868,  he  launched  Buckley's  Minstrels  at  Newark,  N.  J. 

He  was  one  of  Haverly's  12  banjoists,  and  went  to  Europe  with  the  Mas- 
todons, opening  at  Drury  Lane  Theatre,  London,  July  31,   1880. 

He  was  associated  with  the  late  John  M.  Turner  for  a  considerable  period ; 
the  partnership  dissolved  November  11,  1876. 

J.  K.  Buckley  was  born  in  New  York  City  January  21,  1839. 

Joseph  H.  Childs  was  equally  well  known  to  dramatic,  variety  and  minstrel 
patrons,  and  up  to  about  ten  years  before  his  death  was  considered  one  of  the 
best  clog  dancers  before  the  public. 

In  1877-78  he  was  in  the  stock  at  the  National  Theatre,  Cincinnati. 

Jos.  H.  Childs  was  born  in  England;  he  died  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  Novem- 
ber 10,  1880;  age  41  years. 

Wally  Thomas,  prominent  as  a  jig  and  clog  dancer,  a  fine  drummer  and 
a  good  all-round  general  performer  of  Sharpley 's  Minstrels  in  the  early  6o's, 
died  at  Lowell,  Mass.,  May  29,  1864;  age  25  years. 

Lewis  J.  Donnelly,  well-known  in  his  day  as  a  first-class  black-face  female 
impersonator,  died  in  New  York  City,  October  26,  1869;  age  30  years. 

Gus  Howard  was  a  pupil  of  George  Christy,  and  made  his  first  appearance 
with  Wood  and  Christy's  Minstrels  in  New  York  in  1855. 

He  was  an  exceptionally  versatile  performer,  and  excelled  as  a  banjoist 
and  tambourinist.  He  continued  as  a  member  of  the  above  company  until 
May,  1858,  Geo.  Christy  seceding  and  going  to  California.  Howard  went 
with  him,  and  continued  with  Christy  until  1861,  when  he  joined  Unsworth's 
Minstrels,  also  Hooley  and  Campbell's. 

For  about  five  years  prior  to  his  death  he  had  been  with  the  Wallace 
Sisters  Combination. 

Gus  Howard  died  in  Alexandria,  Va.,  March  27,  1874 ;  age  about  35  years. 

Warren  Richards  (Richard  A.  Warren)  was  well-known  as  a  tenor  singer 
with  Dliprez  and  Benedict's  Minstrels  about  forty  years  ago;  he  was  with 
them  for  a  lengthy  period.  He  was  born  in  New  Orleans,  and  died  in  New 
York  City,  June  15,  1876. 


PROM  '•DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  135 

L.  MoRRiSEY  (Morrisey  B.  Little),  a  well-known  and  capable  song  and  dance 
performer,  joined  Johnny  Allen's  Minstrels  about  1870. 

He  formed  a  partnership  with  Fred  Emerson,  and  as  Morrisey  and  Emer- 
son opened  at  Bryant's  Minstrels,  New  York,  September  4,  1871,  and  con- 
tinued there  until  the  Spring  of  1873,  when  the  team  separated. 

Mr.  Morrisey  played  the  variety  houses  until  his  death  in  New  York, 
February  8,  1881. 

James  G.  Russell  (Grant),  the  well-known  vocalist,  commenced  his  min- 
strel career  about  1870  in  New  York,  and  successfully  appeared  in  the  com- 
panies of  Carncross  and  Dixey  in  Philadelphia;  Emerson's,  Geo.  Thatcher's 
and  Bryant's. 

He  died  in  Richmond,  Va.,  May  5.  1883. 

J.  K.  Silver,  of  the  famous  Silver  Brothers,  was  prominent  for  many  years 
in  minstrel  and  concert  work. 

He  died  at  Williamsburg,  Mich.,  May  11,  1885. 

Billy  Burr  (\V.  W.  H.  Burrows),  an  old-time  performer,  who  was  excellent 
in  negro  acts,  made  his  first  appearance  with  Andy  Williams  in  Gardner  and 
Hemming's  Circus.  He  played  with  various  organizations  until  his  retire- 
ment about  1875. 

He  was  born  in  Reading,  Pa.,  November,  1840;  he  died  at  Gwynedd,  Pa., 
January  30,  1881. 

Tom.  Warfield  (J.  B.  Hersey),  the  old-time  banjoist  and  black-face 
performer,  entered  the  profession  in  his  native  city. 

He  was  with  several  minstrel  shows,  also  had  his  own  company.  War- 
field  and  Wicks  Minstrels. 

He  married  Minnie  Chapin  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  in  August,  1876. 

Tom  Warfield  was  born  in  New  Orleans,  La. ;  he  died  in  Birmingham, 
Ala.,  November  12,  1899. 

Queen  and  West  constituted  one  of  the  great  song  and  dance  teams  in 
minstrelsy.  Thej^  formed  a  partnership  about  1868,  which  was  terminated  by 
the  death  of  Mr.  Queen. 

Together  they  played  several  prominent  minstrel  engagements,  and  later 
wtnt  to  Harrigan  and  Hart's  in  New  York,  where  Mr.  West  remained,  all 
told,  about  twenty-two  years. 

Mr.  Queen  was  an  exceptionally  clever  black-face  comedian,  while  Mr. 
West,  in  addition  to  his  ability  as  a  dancer  and  comedian,  was  proficient  on 
the  banjo. 

John  Queen  made  his  first  appearance  as  a  clog  dancer  in  Boston  with 
Morris  Bros.,  Pell  and  Trowbridge's  Minstrels.  While  with  that  company, 
he,  in  conjunction  with  R.  ]\L  Carroll,  did  the  first  double  clog  dance  ever 
seen  in  minstrelsy. 

William  West  began  his  theatrical  career  in  1857  as'  a  black-face  per- 
former, and  until  about  1863  played  mostly  with  circuses. 

His  first  minstrel  engagement  was  with  Duprez  and  Green.    Subsequently 


136      •  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

he  played  with  Hooley  at  the  Novelty  Theatre  in  Brooklyn ;  with  the  San 
Francisco's  in  New  York,  and  with  Bryant's,  Wood's,  and  Morris  Brothers. 

Mr.  West's  last  stage  appearance  was  about  1901. 

John  Queen  (McQueeny)  was  born  in  St.  Albans,  Vt.,  November  19, 
1843;  he  died  in  New  York,  February  11,  1884. 

William  West  (Cox)  was  born  in  Leicester,  England,  May  3,  1837. 

Charles  E.  Gibbons,  an  excellent  clog  dancer,  was  with  Carncross  and 
Dixey's  ]\Iinstrels  in  Philadelphia,  in  1869 ;  subsequently  he  joined  the  San 
Franciscos  in  New  York,  where  he  remained  several  years.  His  wife  was 
Effie  Germon,  the  well-known  actress. 

He  died  in  New  York  City  June  27,  1882 ;  age  40  years. 

Ned  Reed  was  well-known  mostly  in  the  middle  west,  as  g  capable  comedian. 
His  first  appearance  was  made  in  his  native  city  about  i860. 

In  1862  he  organized  a  minstrel  company,  and  subsequently  he  traveled 
with  John  Robinson's  Circus,  remaining  about  four  years,  after  which,  in 
1866,  he  appeared  with  Kelly  and  Leon's  Minstrels  in  Chicago.  About  1867 
Mr.  Reed  married  Miss  Ada  St.  Clair. 

He  had  at  various  times  conducted  theatres  in  Terre  Haute  and  Ft. 
Wayne,  Ind. ;  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  and  Dayton,  Ohio,  where  for  eighteen  years 
he  was  a  resident,  during  which  period  Mr.  Reed's  hand  was  frequently  in  his 
pocket  to  help  those  less  fortunate  than  himself. 

Ned  Reed  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  September  27,  1840;  he  died  in 
Dayton,  Ohio,  November  27,  1891. 

C.  W.  Princle  was  for  many  years  associated  in  the  management  of 
Richard's  and  Pringle's  Colored  Minstrels,  a  popular  organization.  He  died 
in  Marysville,  Cal.,  March  18,  1893. 

Billy  Gr.vv  (Cornelius  O'Donnell)  was  well-known  as  a  versatile  black- 
face comedian.    He  entered  the  variety  profession  about  1862. 

In  1873  he  joined  Harry  Robinson's  Minstrels,  and  two  years  later  was 
with  Hooley  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  Subsequently  he  joined  the  company  of 
Harrigan  and  Hart  in  New  York,  where  he  long  remained. 

Billy  Gray  was  born  in  Ireland ;  he  died  in  New  York,  November  21,  1882. 

Billy  Remington,  a  prominent  black-face  performer,  who  was  an  especially 
clever  bone  player,  died  at  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.,  April  16,  1870. 

Peasley  and  Hughes  were  a  well-known  blace-face  song  and  dance  team  of 
the  variety  and  minstrel  stage,  where  they  played  many  notable  engagements. 

Mr.  Peasley  was  also  of  Peasley  and  Fitzgerald;  they  opened  with  the 
Dearborn  Minstrels  in  Chicago,  August  21,  1871. 

John  A.  Peasley  died  in  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  April  22,  1893. 

]\Iark  Hughes  died  in  Chicago,  111.,  February  6,  1882 ;  age  34  years. 
* 

William  Dwyer  was  a  well-known  tenor  singer,  and  played  successful  en- 
gagements with  Bryant's,  and  the  San  Francisco's  in  New  York,  and  Simmone 
and  Slocum's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia. 


BILLY    DE  RUE  BOBBY    DE    RUE 

(DE  RUE  BROS.) 


BERT.    LEIGHTON  FRANK   LEIGHTON 

(LEIGHTON  BROS.) 


BILLY   FREEZE 


LARRY  FREEZE 


(FREEZE  BROS.) 


138  MONARCtIS  OF  MINSTRELSY. 

He  was  born  in  Dublin,  Ireland ;  he  died  in  Washington,  D.  C,  Decem- 
ber 30,  1898. 


In  the  author's  possession  is  a  document  dated  July  17,  1850,  wherein 
one  James  Norris  purchased  a  fourth  interest  in  a  prominent  minstrel  com- 
pany of  that  day  for  $200.00.  Imagine  what  a  similar  interest  in  Lew  Dock- 
stader's  Minstrels  would  cost  to-day. 


"Cool"  Burgess  (Colin  Burgess)  was  one  of  the  most  famous  names  in 
minstrelsy.  Tall  and  slender,  with  long,  drooping  moustache,  he  provoked 
merriment  at  sight. 

He  first  appeared  professionally  in  his  native  city  about  1857,  at  the  Mel- 
odeon. 

Subsequently  he  was  identified  with  many  minstrel  organizations, 
an.jngst  the  earliest  was  Burgess  and  (J.  E,  J  Green's.  About  the  closing  of  the 
Reb'.'lion  he  joined  Hooley's  Company  in  Brooklyn,  where  he  became  quite 
popular. 

In  1865  he  was  one  of  the  proprietors  of  Burgess,  (T.  B.)  Prendergast, 
(Archie)  Hughes  and  (D.  C.)  LaRue's  Minstrels. 

In  1867,  in  conjunction  with  his  fellow  townsman,  Charley  Gardner,  he 
organized  Burgess  and  Gardner's  Minstrels. 

In  1864  he  was  associated  with  J.  H.  Haverly  in  an  organization  bearing 
their  name. 

In  the  Summer  of  1867,  Burgess  and  (Ainsley)  Scott's  Minstrels  had  a 
brief  existence. 

(Charley)  Reynolds,  (John  D.)  Newcombe  and  Burgess'  Minstrels  gave 
their  first  performance  September  24,  1862. 

On  August  9,  1869,  Mr.  Burgess  made  his  appearance  with  Sam  Sharp- 
ley's  Minstrels  in  Boston,  and  the  following  month,  in  the  same  city,  he 
joined  Delehanty  and  Hengler's  Company. 

In  the  Fall  of  1879  he  opened  with  Joe  Norcross'  California  Minstrels. 

In  1875  he  made  his  first  appearance  in  England  at  Sam  Hague's  Min- 
strels in  Liverpool ;  subsequently  he  played  a  successful  engagement  with 
Moore  and  Burgess  in  London. 

Like  most  prominent  performers  Mr.  Bfirgess  has  a  specialty  in  which 
he  was  prominently  identified — in  his  case  it  was  "Xicodemus  Johnson,"  in 
which  he  danced  with  abnormally  long  shoes,  he  being  th€  first  to  adopt  the 
massive  footgear. 

Mr.  Burgess  married  Miss  Edna  S.  Taylor  May  20,  1862. 

In  the  passing  of  "Cool"  Burgess,  minstrelsy  lost  one  of  its  most  bril- 
liant stars. 

"Cool"  Burgess  was  born  in  Toronto,  Canada,  December  20,  1840;  he 
died  there  October  20,  1905. 

H.\NK  MuDGE  (Henry  Tyler  Mudge)  is  one  of  the  few  old-timers  left. 
]\Ir.  Mudge,  who  ranked  with  the  great  clog  dancers  of  his  day,  made 
his  first  appearance  in  minstrelsy  with  the  Porter  Opera  Troupe  at  Hartford, 
Conn.,  in  1857. 

In  1859  he  was  at  Captain  John  Smith's  Theatre  in  Albany,  N.  Y.     Mr. 


FROM  "DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  139 

Miidge  avers  that  this  Smith  was  in  no  way  related  to  the  party  in  Virginia 
that  was  smitten  with  the  charms  of  one  Pocahontas. 

But  to  continue ;  in  i860  he  joined  Sam  Sharpley's  Minstrels,  and  later 
went  to  Boston,  where  he  became  identified  with  the  famous  Morris  Bros., 
Pell  and  Trowbridge  Minstrels  in  that  city. 

Mr.  Mudge  was  associated  with  A.  C.  Stone,  and  as  Mudge  and  Stone 
were  rated  as  two  of  the  best  clog  dancers  in  minstrelsy ;  likewise  when  with 
Hoolcy's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  did  he  do  a  great  dancing  act  with 
Archie  Hughes. 

In  New  York  he  played  successful  engagements  with  Wood's,  and  Kelly 
and  Leon's  Minstrels. 

October  11,  1866,  Mr.  Mudge  with  a  party  sailed  for  Hong  Kong:  Oc- 
tober 16,  1866,  Mr.  Mudge  arrived  in  New  York.  This  might  possibly  strike 
the  average  observer  as  a  quick  trip ;  but  the  fact  is  that  owing  to  the  peevish- 
ness of  old  ocean,  the  mintsrels  floundered  around  on  its  huge  bosom  for 
several  days,  finally  landing  them  where  they  started. 

In  five  days  the  party  recovered,  and  on  October  21  they  again  set  sail ; 
this  time  for  old  England,  where  they  arrived  in  due  time,  and  after  engage- 
ments on  Erin's  Isle,  Hussey,  Sweney  and  Felton's  Minstrels  opened  in 
London,  England,  December  5,  1866. 

Mr.  Mudge  subsequently  played  an  extended  engagement  with  Moore, 
Crocker  and  Ritter's  Minstrels  in  the  British  metropolis. 

In  1866  Boyce  and  Mudge's  Minstrels  made  a  bid  for  favor ;  later  Hogan 
and  Mudge's  troupe  did  likewise,  and  in  1876  Mudge  and  Gaynor's  Minstrels 
toured. 

Mr.  Mudge's  last  tour  was  in  connection  with  Dave  Reed's  New  York 
combination  in  1887. 

Hank  Mudge  was  born  in  Tro}^  N.  Y.,  March  12,  1840. 

D.  L.  Morris,  one  of  the  greatest  German  comedians  there  ever  was,  played 
with  Haverly's  Minstrels  in  1875;  and  as  Haverly's  "Black  Dutchman"  scored 
a  big  success ;  he  was  also  with  another  minstrel  organization. 

He  died  at  Cape  Girardeau,  Mo.,  August  5,  1879. 

Robert  McWade,  whose  great  characterization  of  Rip,  in  "Rip  Van  Winkie" 
has  made  him  world  famous,  wrote  a  burlesque  on  P.  T.  Barnum's  "What  Is 
It?"  for  Hooley  and  Campbell's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  which  was  producea 
December  3,  i860. 

During  the  week,  owing  to  the  indisposition  of  James  Unsworth,  Mr. 
INIcWade  assumed  the  title  role  of  "Africanus  Barnum  O,"  and  played  it  in 
black  face ;  and  'tho  fifty  years  have  elapsed,  Mr.  McWade  still  speaks 
of  this  occasion  with  evident  relish  and  satisfaction. 

John  H.  Ward  was  a  splendid  dancer,  and  in  the  early  6o's  partner  of  Wm. 
H.  Delehanty,  prior  to  the  latter's  association  with  Thos.  Hengler. 
He  died  in  East  Saginaw,  Mich.,  March  15,  1874. 

Dave  Wilson  was  a  good  comedian  and  gave  a  fine  portrayal  of  the  aged 
darky,  but  his  principal  fame  rested  on  his  manipulation  of  the  bones,  of 
which  he  was  a  master. 


I40  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

He  was  with  Newcomb's  Minstrels  in  1869,  and  Kelly  and  Leon's  in 
1875 ;  he  retired  shortly  after  that,  and  is  said  to  be  living  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

Neil  Price,  a  black-face  performer,  whose  fame  chiefly  was  gained  as  author 
of  "A  Boy's  Best  Friend  Is  His  Mother,"  died  at  Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  Novem- 
ber S,  1889. 

Harry  G.  Richmond  (Augustus  Von  Boyle)  was  an  exceedingly  versatile 
performer;  a  good  vocalist,  dancer  and  comedian.  His  principal  minstrel 
engagement  was  with  Haverly  in  the  Spring  of  1878. 

In  Philadelphia,  on  October  29,  1879,  during  an  altercation  with  an  old 
friend.  Dan  Archer,  Richmond,  in  pure  self-defense,  killed  Archer. 

Mr.  Richmond,  in  conjunction  with  his  brother,  Acland  Von  Boyle,  took 
out  the  play  of  "Our  Candidate,"  about  1879. 

On  May  i,  1880,  he  married  Miss  Florence  Stover,  an  actress. 

Harry  G.  Richmond  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  he  died  in  Camden, 
N.  J.,  October  21,  1885. 

A.  C.  Stone  was  an  exceptionally  good  clog  dancer,  and  in  the  early  6o's 
a  partner  of  "Hank"  Mudge,  under  the  team  name  of  Stone  and  Mudge. 

In  1865  he  was  with  Sharpley's  Ironclads ;  at  the  time  of  his  death  with 
LaRue's  Minstrels. 

He  died  at  Frankfort,  Ky.,  November  13,  1866. 

George  Wilkes  (Miller),  a  well-known  female  impersonator  of  several 
early  minstrel  organizations,  was  born  in  Philadelphia ;  he  died  in  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  October  i,  1870. 

Fred  Sprung  was  a  well-known  vocalist  and  "straight"  man  in  the  6o's, 
during  which  period  he  worked  in  acts  with  Billy  Manning.  In  1864  he  was 
with  Rumsey's  Minstrels,  and  in  September  of  the  following  year  Avith  a  small 
company,  gave  a  show  over  the  mountains  of  California,  being  one  of  the  first 
to  do  so. 

He  died  in  San  Jose,  CaL,  February  26,  1890. 

John  Pendy  (Prendergast ),  a  well-known  black-face  performer  in  the  old 
variety  days,  married  Jeffreys  Warner,  and  played  as  Pendy  and  Warner  for 
several  years. 

He  died  in  New  York  City  November  16,  1902. 

Frank  Girard  (Giraud).  This  well-known  interlocutor  and  "straight 
man"  began  his  careef  with  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  about 
1863 ;  he  remained  but  a  short  period  and  then  enlisted  in  the  navy,  where  he 
continued  until  the  war  was  over. 

In  September,  1866,  Mr.  Girard  was  one  of  the  500  passengers  bound  for 
New  Orleans  on  the  steamer  "Evening  Star,"  which  was  wrecked  about  300 
miles  off  the  coast  of  Florida  (October  3,  1866)  ;  he  was  the  only  male  that 
survived,  and  was  on  the  water  for  five  days  before  he  was  rescued.  He  sub- 
sequently returned  to  New  York,  and  later  was  identified  with  some  of  the 
principal  minstrel  companies. 


142  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

About  1871  he  became  a  member  of  Tony  Pastor's  stock  company  in 
New  York,  where  he  acted  as  stage  manager  and  played  in  the  farces  for 
many  years. 

His  son  is  Edwin  Girard,  for  many  years  manager  of  the  Gotham  Thea- 
tre, Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Frank  Girard  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  July  7,  1840 ;  he  died  there 
November  i,  1900. 

James  D.  Bohee  a  prominent  colored  performer  and  concededly  great  ban- 
joist,  went  to  England  about  1880,  where  he  was  a  great  success  until  the 
time  of  his  death  in  London,  England,  December  i,  1897. 

Jimmy  Clark  was  one  of  the  best  jig  dancers  in  the  country,  and  equally 
proficient  in  the  manipulation  of  the  banjo,  and  an  all-round  good  general 
performer. 

He  was  with  Kelly  and  Leon's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  also  with  the 
Duprez  and  Benedict  Company. 

December,  1872,  Welch,  Clark  and  Hart's  Minstrels  began  a  brief  career. 

Mr.  Clark  had  not  appeared  professionally  for  some  years.  Prior  to  his 
'death  he  was  employed  in  the  manufacturing  of  the  banjo. 

Jimmy  Clark  died  in  New  York  City,  February  27,  i88o;  age  40  years. 

Charles  L.  Monroe,  considered  a  very  good  impersonator  of  the  old 
Southern  "darky,"  died  in  Philadelphia,  July  12,  1875  ;  age  36  years. 

John  Baetley,  a  good  general  performer  in  negro  acts,  and  an  exceptionally 
fine  performer  with  the  tambourine  and  bones,  died  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  April 
17,  1895. 

Jerry  McMillan,  once  known  as  "]Master  Jerry,"  was  one  of  the  best  jig 
dancers  of  his  day. 

He  was  identified  with  the  San  Francisco  Alinstrels  in  New  York  City 
for  a  considerable  period. 

He  died  in  Philadelphia,  September  9,  1873. 

A.  Bam  FORD,  a  capable  female  impersonator  who  was  prominent  at  one  time 
at  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  and  also  played  a  European  engagement 
in  the  6o's,  died  at  San  Francisco,  April  5,  1871.  Mr.  Bamford  also  did  spe- 
cialties with  Harry  Norman. 

Harry  J.  Clapham.  This  gentleman's  name  will  always  rank  with  the  great 
managers  of  minstrelsy. 

His  career  began  on  the  30th  anniversary  of  his  birth,  at  Syracuse,  N.  Y., 
with  Cat.  Wagner's  Minstrels,  as  a  balladist.  Six  weeks  later  he  was  pro- 
gramme agent,  and  in  six  months  was  "press  agent";  in  1910  we  would  call 
that  "making  good."  Later  he  became  general  agent,  continuing  in  that  ca- 
pacity for  18  months.  When  Haverly's  Minstrels  were  organized  in  the  Fall 
of  1873,  he  became  agent ;  a  year  later  he  was  manager,  in  which  capacity  he 
served  for  several  years. 

Leaving  Mr.  Haverly  he  took  a  much-needed  rest  for  six  months,  and 


FROM  -DADDY-  RICE  TO  DATE.  143 

then  assumed  the  management  of  Barlow,  Wilson,  Primrose  and  ^^'est's 
Minstrels ;  in  about  two  years  he  turned  into  the  company  $100,000  in  prohts ; 
this  was  "going  some"  about  30  years  ago. 

John  T.  Raymond  and  ^Ir.  and  Mrs.  McKee  Rankin  claimed  his  execu- 
tive attention  for  three  years :  he  then  assumed  management  of  the  Barlow, 
Wilson  &  Co.  Minstrels,  remaining  three  years. 

After  the  Barlow,  Wilson  &  Co.  Minstrels,  Air.  Clapham  took  out  a 
repertoire  company  ;  his  leading  man  being  no  less  a  personage  than  that 
excellent  actor  of  to-day,  Mr.  Thos.  E.  Shea,  who  had  previously  occupied  a 
mercantile  position  in   Boston. 

A  four  years  respite  found  Mr.  Clapham  equal  owner  with  Lew  Dock- 
stader's  Minstrels  (road  company)  ;  the  alliance  lasted  three  seasons,  which 
were  very  successful ;  the  first  40  weeks  profits  were  $24,000. 

Mr.  Clapham  speaks  in  the  highest  terms  of  praise  of  his  first  manager, 
Col.  Haverly,  because  he  gave  him  ( Clapham  )  the  opportunity. 

Harry  J.  Clapham  was  born  in  Lincoln,  England,  November  16,  184c. 

Kelly  and  Leon  was  a  great  trade-mark  in  minstrelsy  forty  years  ago. 

Edwin  Kelly  was  a  vocalist  and  an  actor ;  Leon  was  a  female  imperso- 
nator ;  and  none  were  more  successful  than  he.  Together  they  were  famous 
for  their  burlesques,  which  they  put  on  in  a  lavish  manner. 

In  i860  each  were  members  of  Geo.  Christy's  }ilinstrels ;  the  following 
season  they  joined  Morris  Bros.,  Pell  and  Trowbridge's  Company  in  Boston, 
and  in  1862  they  were  with  Arlington  and  Donniker's  Troupe.  A  year  later 
Kelly  and  Leon  were  interested  in  the  management  of  the  company,  which 
soon  after  was  known  as  Kelly  and  Leon's  Minstrels  in  Chicago. 

October  i,  1866,  the  company  opened  at  Hope  Chapel.  New  York,  and 
for  more  than  two  years  they  were  established  there,  meeting  with  pro- 
nounced success. 

January  9,  1869.  they  gave  their  final  performance,  and  shortly  after 
sailed  for  London,  England,  opening  with  Montague's  "Christy's."  May  9. 
After  a  brief  engagement  they  organized  Kelly  and  Leon's  "Christy's"  Min- 
strels, giving  their  initial  performance  July  6,  1869.  Six  weeks  later,  August 
16,  they  appeared  with  Delehanty  and  Hengler's  Combination  in  Boston. 
They  made  their  first  appearance  in  San  Francisco  November  7,  1871. 

August  26,  1872,  they  began  an  engagement  at  Bryant's  Minstrels  in 
New  York,  which  terminated  November  16.  Kelly  and  Leon  then  reorganized 
their  own  company,  opening  at  their  old  stand,  November  25,  three  days  later, 
November  28,  1872,  the  theatre  was  destroyed  by  fire. 

The  following  Summer  they  returned  to  California,  where  they  played 
an  engagement  in  San  Francisco  with  Maguire's  Minstrels. 

Returning  East  they  opened  in  Philadelphia  with  Simmons  and  Slocum's 
Minstrels,  closing  November  8,  1873. 

The  following  year  they  were  with  Haverly :  in  1875  Kelly  and  Leon's 
Company  took  the  road,  under  the  management  of  Surridge  and  Melville. 

In  the  Spring  of  1876  their  company  opened  at  Bryant's  old  minstrel  hall 
in  New  York,  where  they  continued  several  months. 

December  10,  1877,  with  their  company,  they  began  their  third  engage- 
ment in  San  Francisco,  and  on  February  2,  1878,  they  sailed  for  Australia, 
where  about  two  years  after  their  arrival  their  long  partnership  was  dissolved. 


144  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

For  a  time  each  headed  their  own  company  in  the  Antipodes.     Leon  later 
returned  to  the  United  States  ;  Mr.  Kelly  remained  in  Australia  until  his  death. 

Prior  to  i860  Edwin  Kelly  was  a  balladist  with  Ordway's  Aeolians  in 
Boston.  In  May,  1858,  "Master"  Leon  joined  Wood's  Minstrels  in  New 
York ;  the  year  following  he  was  with  Campbell's  Minstrels. 

Shortly  after  Leon's  return  to  America,  he  joined  Haverly's  Minstrels; 
he  severed  his  association  with  that  company  in  February,  1883.  He  then 
formed  an  alliance  with  Frank  Cushman,  and  in  April  began  an  engagement 
with  Barlow,  Wilson's  Minstrels. 

September  3,  1883,  he  opened  with  Birch's  San  Francisco  Minstrels  in 
New  York.  Leon  and  Cushman  sailed  for  Australia  about  January  i,  1886; 
they  played  several  months  in  Melbourne ;  shortly  after  their  return  to  the 
United  States  they  separated,  August,  1887. 

"Leon"  began  an  engagement  with  Emerson's  Minstrels  January  19,  1889. 

Since  then  Mr.  Leon  has  been  identified  in  minstrel,  vaudeville  and  con- 
cert work,  until  his  retirement-about  eight  years  ago. 

Edwin  Kelly  was  born  in  Dublin,  Ireland,  in  1835  ;  he  died  in  Adelaide, 
Australia,  December  24.  1898. 

"Leon"  (Patrick  Francis  Glassey)  was  born  in  New  York  City,  November 
21,  about  1840. 

Jack  Talcott  (Arthur  J.  Talbott),  well-known  as  a  comedian,  began  his 
theatrical  career  in  the  late  5o"s. 

In  i860  he  was  with  Hooley  and  Campbell's  Minstrels,  that  same  year 
joining  Sanford's  Company  in  Philadelphia,  in  which  city  he  remained  alto- 
gether about  ten  years  with  Carncross  and  Dixey's,  and  Carncross'  Minstrels. 
Early  in  1887  he  was  one  of  a  company  at  the  Criterion  Theatre,  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y.,  in  an  attempt  to  revive  permanent  minstrelsy  in  that  city. 

Air.  Talbott  was  an  excellent  marksman,  and  was  the  first  to  shoot  an 
apple  from  the  head  in  a  theatre. 

He  first  performed  this  feat  at  the  New  Idea  in  San  Francisco,  October 
21,  1864;  Johnny  De  Angelis,  father  of  the  comedian,  Jeff  De  Angelis,  held 
the  apple. 

Mr.  Talbott  was  a  brother  of  Harry  Talbott.  the  minstrel,  and  the  hus- 
band of  Emma  ]\Iiles,  danseuse.  whom  he  married  in  the  6o's. 

Jack  Talbott  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  October  3,  1840;  he  died  in 
New  York,  April  5,  1910. 

J.  Henry  Murphy,  the  well-known  minstrel  tenor,  was  with  Mead's  Min- 
strels in  New  London,  Conn.,  September  8,  1862. 

About  February,  1864,  he  joined  Buckley's  Serenaders  in  Boston,  Mass., 
and  was  associated  with  them  for  several  seasons.  April  17,  1871,  he  com- 
menced an  engagement  with  Newcomb  and  Arlington's  Minstrels  in  New 
York,  and  on  January  29,  1872,  joined  Simmons  and  Slocum's  Company  m 
Philadelphia. 

Later  he  identified  himself  with  Cal.  Wagner's  Minstrels,  and  was  with 
him  some  time.  Mr.  Murphy  had  not  appeared  professionally  for  many 
years. 

J.  Henry  Murphy  died  in  New  London,  Conn.,  April  10,  1910;  age  about 
70  years. 


JOHN  E.  CAIN 


NEAL  ABEL 


GEO.  W.  ROCKEFELLER 


JULIA  GOULD 


GREG.   PATTI  HARRY    LEHR 

CAIN  &  ABEL ;  ROCKEFELLER  &  GOULD ;  PATTI  AND  HARRY  LEHR; 
THEY  ALL  "BLACKED  UP." 


146  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Charles  D.  Burnham,  an  old-time  comedian,  was  with  Green's  Mocking 
Bird  Minstrels  in  1871,  also  various  other  companies. 

He  married  Miss  Jennie  Davis  at  Kingston,  Canada,  January  5,  1872. 
He  died  at  Bay  City,  Mich.,  August  i,  1902. 

"English  Tommy  Peel"  (William  Howe),  a  jig  dancer  of  some  reputation, 
died  in  New  York,  January  31,  1868. 

Walter  Bray  (Baker)  was  a  versatile  black-face  performer,  whose  career 
began  about  fifty  years  ago. 

In  1864,  in  conjunction  with  Joe  Murphy,  he  had  a  minstrel  company 
bearing  their  names.  Mr.  Bray  made  his  first  New  York  appearance  Septem- 
ber 6,  1869,  doing  a  black-face  song  and  dance  called  "Sugar  Bob." 

In  1872  he  was  with  Wm.  Henry  Rice's  Minstrels  in  Cincinnati,  where 
his  "Corkographs"  received  well-merited  applause.  Subsequently  he  played 
many  minstrel  and  variety  engagements. 

He  died  at  Fort  Worth,  Texas,  February  25,  1891. 

"Happy"  Cal.  Wagner  was  not  born  with  that  handle  to  his  name,  but  just 
plain  Calvin  Wagner. 

Mr.  Wagner  began  comicalities  at  the  age  of  17,  and  at  70  is  still  "happv." 
Of  course  he  played  other  minstrel  engagements  before  appearing  with  Char- 
ley Morris'  Coinpany  in  1864. 

In  1865  he  was  with  Sam  Sharpley's  Ironclads,  and  the  following  3'ear 
Wagner  and  (Sam)  Hague's  Minstrels  could  readily  be  seen — if  you  had  the 
price. 

In  1867,  January  21,  to  be  exact,  he  joined  Lloyd  and  Bidaux'  Minstrels; 
the  following  year  found  him  with  Fred  Wilson's  Minstrels,  and  on  March 
6,  1869,  he  left  Wilson  in  St.  Louis ;  that  is,  he  left  Wilson's  company.  It 
was  getting  time  for  "Happy"  Cal  Wagner's  ^linstrels,  and  accordingly  that 
organization  soon  sprang  into  being. 

In  the  Fall  of  1870  this  company  came  under  the  able  direction  of  "Jack" 
Haverly ;  the  partnership  was  dissolved  November  8,  1873.  Mr.  Wagner's 
Minstrels  went  on  touring. 

In  1878  Wagner  and  (Ben)  Cotton's  Minstrels  happened:  that  same 
year  they  unhappened.  A  year  or  so  later  Mr.  Wagner  joined  Barlow,  Wil- 
son, Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels,  closing  with  them  in  February,  1881. 

Mr.  Wagner's  last  appearance  in  minstrelsy  was  with  Quinlan  and  Wall's 
Company,  about  five  years  ago. 

Cal.  Wagner  was  born  in  Mobile,  Ala.,  July  4,  1840. 

Horace  Rush  by,  well-known  as  a  character  actdr,  made  his  first  appearance 
in  the  United  States  with  Case  and  Kernan's  Minsfi-els  in  1869. 

A  year  later  he  joined  Blaisdell  Bros,  and  Courtright's  Minstrels ;  in  1872 
he  was.  a  member  of  Wm.  Henry  Rice's  organization  in  Cincinnati.  Subse- 
quently he  appeared  successfully  with  the  minstrel  companies  of  Harry  Rob- 
inson ;  Haverly ;  I.  W.  Baird's ;  Birch,  Hamilton  and  Backus ;  Hooley  and 
Emerson's  Megatherians ;  Carncross',  in  Philadelphia,  and  several  others. 

Some  years  ago  Mr.  Rushby  decided  to  enter  the  legitimate  field,  where 


FROM  -DADDY-  RICE  TO  DATE.  I47 

as  Cy.  Prime  in  the  '■Old  Homestead"  and  John  Todd  in  "Old  Jed  Prouty" 
he  achieved  success. 

Horace  Rushby  was  born  in  Hull,  England,  November  14,  1840. 

John  Crosiier,  a  well-known  ballad  singer  who  was  with  Cotton  and 
Murphy's  Minstrels  in  1865,  and  with  Simmons  and  Slocum's  Company  in 
Philadelphia,  Pa.,  from  1871  to  1874;  died  in  Toronto,  Canada,  January  15, 
1880. 

Dick  S.\nds  (George  R.  Sands),  famous  for  many  years  as  Barnum's  "Old 
Woman  in  the  Shoe,"  was  one  of  the  world's  greatest  clog  dancers. 

His  first  appearance  was  made  at  Pierce's  Varieties  in  Providence,  R.  I., 
in  1857.  Late  that  same  year  he  joined  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  and 
in  February,  1859,  reappeared  there. 

In  1866  he  was  associated  with  Jack  Havcrly  in  a  minstrel  company  bear- 
ing their  name.  Mr.  Sands  played  important  engagements  with  the  Morris 
Bros.,  Pell  and  Trowbridge  Minstrels  in  Boston,  and  many  other  high-class 
minstrel  and  circus  companies. 

Dick  Sands  was  born  at  Mill  Bridge,  England,  May  2,  1840;  he  died  in 
New  York,  March  28,  1900. 

* 
Ch.\rles  B.  Hicks,  one  of  the  proprietors  of  Hicks  and  Sawyer's  Colored 
Minstrels,  died  at  Surabo3'a,  Java,  in  1902. 

W.  H.  Hamilton,  who  was  a  well-known  baritone  singer,  was  with  Simmons 
and  Slocum's,  and  Frank  Moran's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia  in  the  early  70's, 
and  in  1882  was  part  proprietor  of  Birch,  Hamilton  and  Backus'  Minstrels  in 
New  York.    He  died  in  Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  April  17,  1897. 

GuST.WE  Geary,  a  well-known  vocalist  of  Hooley's  and  other  minstrel  com- 
panies during  the  6o's,  died  in  New  York,  .\pril  25,  1877. 

W.  H.  Strickland,  the  well-known  minstrel  agent,  who  was  long  associated 
with  Haverly's  Minstrels,  died  in  New  York,  February  27,  1903. 

Charles  Lockwood,  a  famous  singer  of  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  N. 
Y.,  and  other  prominent  organizations,  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  April  28.  1887. 

He  was  the  author  of  "A  Handful  of  Earth,"  made  famous  by  Joe  Mur- 
phy in  the  Irish  drama. 

J.  H.  Clifford,  an  excellent  dancer  of  the  6o's,  during  which  period  he  was 
associated  with  Rulnsey's,  Hooley's,  Campbell's  and  other  well-known  min- 
strel organizations. 

He  was  especially  well  remembered  for  his  song  of  "Hot  Corn." 

He  wag  on  the  police  force  in  New  York,  for  some  time. 

He  is  said  to  have  died  about  ten  years  ago. 

Billy  Sheppard  was  equally  famous  for  his  neat  and  artistic  songs  and 
dances,  and  for  his  rendition  of  the  "Anvil  Chorus"  on  the  banjo. 

He  had  been   with  many  prominent   minstrel   companies,   notably  with 


148  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

the  San  Francisco's  in  California  in  1865  ;  Griffin  and  Christy's  in  New  York, 
two  years  later,  and  in  the  Summer  of  1869  played  in  England  with  Smith 
and  Taylor's  Minstrels;  in  1870  he  was  with  Hooley  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and 
with  Hooley 's  in  Chicago  in  1871.  His  wife  was  professionally  known  as 
Sallie  Clinetop,  of  the  Clinetop  Sisters. 

Mr.  Sheppard  died  at  Ft.  Washington,  N.  Y.,  July  8,  1872. 

James  A.  Herne,  the  late  well-known  actor  and  author,  whose  portrayal  of 
the  lighthouse  keeper  in  his  play  of  "Shore  Acres"  will  long  be  pleasantly  re- 
membered, played  Samson,  a  heavy,  black-face  character  part  in  the  "New 
South,"  commencing  at  the  Broadway  Theatre,  New  York,  January  2,  1893. 

James  A.  Herne  was  born  in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  February  i,  1840;  he  died  in 
New  York  City,  June  2,  1901. 

D.  R.  Hawkins  was  well  known  as  a  capable  interlocutor,  and  co-proprietor 
with  Billy  Courtright  with  a  permanent  minstrel  company  in  Philadelphia 
bearing  their  names ;  they  opened  about  September,  1882.  He  was  also  with 
Emerson's  Minstrels. 

He  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  and  died  in  San  I'Vancisco,  September  5, 
1888;  age  47  years. 


Hen.  Mason  (Martin),  was  a  well-known  black-face  performer.  His  wife 
was  Celia  Herd,  an  actress. 

He  was  the  author  of  several  sketches,  notably,  "A  Night  at  a  Free  and 
Easy." 

He  died  in  New  York,  Feburary  22,  1873;  age  33  years. 

Frank  Pell,  a  well-known  and  favorite  comedian  of  many  years  ago,  who 
was  with  Mrs.  Matt.  Peel's  Minstrels,  in  i860;  Newconib's  Minstrels,  in  1867, 
and  other  well-known  companies,  died  in  St.  Paul,  Minn.,  August  26,  1871. 

Tommy  Peel  (O'Reilly)  was  one  of  the  world's  great  jig  dancers.  He 
made  his  first  professional  appearance  in  his  native  city  at  the  age  of  twelve 
years. 

About  1855  he  became  a  member  of  a  minstrel  company  in  which  Matt 
Pee!  was  interested.  Mr.  Peel  adopted  him,  and  young  O'Reilly  thereafter 
was  known  as  Tommy  Peel. 

He  continued  with  Matt  Peel  practically  until  the  latter's  death,  in  1859. 
after  which  he  joined  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  where  he  remained 
about  three  years. 

Tommy  Peel  was  born  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  September,  1841 ;  he  died  in 
Melbourne,  Aus.,  July  31,  1869. 

J.  F.  Sulliv.\n,  prominent  as  a  balladist  at  various  times  with  the  minstrel 
cjompanies  of  Duprez  and  Green;  Sharpley's ;  Buckley's,  and  Skiff  and  Gay- 
lord's,  died  in  Boston,  Mass.,  August  20,  1866;  age  25  years. 

Frank  Howard  (Hurd),  an  old-time  general  minstrel  performer  of  several 
early  companies,  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass. ;  he  died  in  Chicago,  111.,  January 
4,  1897 ;  age  56  years. 


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I50  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

J.  K.  "Fritz"  Emmett  (Kleinfelter),  the  famous  singing  Dutch  comedian, 
played  several  minstrel  engagements  before  coming  East ;  but  always  in 
white-face. 

On  June  i,  1868,  at  De  Bar's  Opera  House,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  (R.  M.) 
Carroll  and  Emmett's  (J.  K.)  Minstrels  began  a  brief  engagement.  Late  in 
the  same  month  he  made  his  first  New  York  appearance  in  black-face  at 
Bryant's  Minstrels,  and  this  was  not  the  only  time  Mr.  Emmett  ever  ap- 
peared in  corked  features.     The  engagement  terminated  in  July  following. 

J.  K.  Emmett  was  born  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  March  13,  1841 ;  he  died  in 
Cornwall,  N.  Y.,  June  15,  1891. 

Ben  Hayes  (J.  C.  Allian)  the  old-time  comedian  and  general  performer, 
made  his  first  appearance  with  the  Sands  &  Mazzoni  Company,  in  1863. 

That  same  year  he  joined  the  Morris  Bros.,  Pell  and  Trowbridge  Com- 
pany, subsequently  appearing  with  Cal.  Wagner's  Minstrels  for  three  years. 

With  Frank  Wild  in  Buffalo,  he  was  associated  three  years,  also  in 
many  other  variety  houses  did  he  play  long  stock  engagements. 

Ben  Hayes  was  born  in  New  York  City,  October  26,  1841. 

Joseph  M.  Norcross,  for  many  years  known  as  Joseph  Norrie,  is  one  of  the 
oldest  and  most  prominent  interlocutors  in  minstrelsy. 

He  first  appeared  professionally  with  the  late  Fred  Sharpley  and  his 
own  minstrel  company  in  1857. 

In  1862  he  joined  Carncross  and  Dixey's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  and 
in  1870  joined  Simmons  'and  Slocum  in  the  same  city,  and  remained  two 
years  with  that  company,  including  a  trip  to  California. 

Subsequently  Mr.  Norcross  joined  Birch,  Wambold  and  Backus'  Min- 
strels in  New  York,  continuing  there  two  years,  after  which  he  joined  Bryant's 
Minstrels,  also  in  the  Metropolis,  and  remained  until  the  death  of  Dan  Bryant. 

Mr.  Norcross  was  two  years  with  Emerson's  Minstrels  in  San  Francisco, 
and  a  like  period  with  Buckley's  Serenaders.  He  was  with  Haverly  seven 
years,  including  a  trip  to  England,  in  1884. 

Mr.  Norcross  was  with  "Our  Goblins"  for  four  seasons,  appearing  in 
Avhite-face.  For  the  past  few  years  he  has  intermittently  appeared  in  vaude- 
ville with  a  unique  tabloid  minstrel  show  of  his  own  design. 

Mr.  Norcross  married  Miss  Mamie  Wambold  at  Newark,  N.  J.,  March 
17,  1878. 

Jos.  M.  Norcross  was  born  in  New  York  City  July  5,  1841. 

Hubert  W.  Egan  is  one  of  the  few  old-time  black-face  performers  whose 
active  career  began  over  half  a  century  ago. 

Mr.  Eagan's  professional  life  began  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  in  1857;  three 
years  later  he  sat  on  the  end  for  the  first  time  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  at  the  Mel- 
odeon,  the  present  site  of  the  Monumental  Theatre. 

He  played  many  variety  engagements  before  he  went  with  LaRuc's 
Minstrels  in  1866. 

Mr.  Eagan  joined  James  Edwards  in  the  middle  6o's,  and  as  Eagan  and 
Edwards  were  highly  popular  in  the  variety  houses. 

In  1863  he  married  Miss  Jennie  Williams,  and  after  playing  numerous 
variety  and  circus  engagements,  he  retired  about  i8r8. 

Hubert  W.  Eagan  was  born  in  Castleragh,  Ireland,  December  18,  1841. 


FROM  "DADDY-  RICE  TO  DATE.  151 

Lew  Brimmer  (Leslie  Chase  Brimmer)  was  not  only  a  great  banjoist,  but  a 
clever  comedian  as  well. 

In  July,  1864,  he  was  with  Sanderson's  Minstrels;  the  same  year  he 
joined  Hooley  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  December  5,  1865,  at  Binghamton,  N.  Y., 
was  given  the  first  performance  of  Brimmer,  Whiting,  Gaynor  and  Clark's 
Minstrels. 

He  was  with  Emerson  and  Manning's  Minstrels  in  1869,  and  the  follow- 
ing year  with  Emerson's  Minstrels;  in  the  Summer  of  1871  he  had  out  Lew 
Brimmer's  Banjo  Minstrels,  and  in  September.  1872,  he  began  an  engagement 
with  Moran  and  Dixey's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia. 

He  was  also  with  the  San  Francisco  Minstrels  in  New  York,  and  with 
Wood's  Company  in  the  same  city.  His  last  engagement  was  at  Sandy  Spen- 
cer's, in  New  York  City. 

Lew  Brimmer  was  born  in  Cooperstown,  N.  Y. ;  he  died  in  Fonda,  N.  Y., 
September  15,  1883;  age  42  years. 

George  Gray,  a  well-known  minstrel  singer  of  the  6o's  and  70's,  was  identi- 
fied with  the  companies  of  Hooley,  Fox  and  Sharpley ;  Campbell's  and  many 
others. 

About  1880  he  played  Uncle  Tom,  and  continued  in  that  character  until 
his  death. 

He  was  the  first  husband  of  Minnie  Oscar  Gray. 

He  was  born  in  New  York,  September  25,  1841  ;  he  died  in  Minneapolis, 
Minn.,  March  13,  1882. 

Tim.  Hayes  was  one  of  the  foremost  clog  dancers  of  minstrelsy.  His 
first  professional  appearance  was  with  Wild's  theatrical  show  under  canvas 
in  1851. 

Li  i860  he  came  to  the  Lfnited  States,  and  made  his  debut  at  the  Melo- 
deon  in  New  York.  After  that  he  joined  Hooley  and  Campbell's  Minstrels, 
and  subsequently  appeared  with  Unsworth's ;  Carncross  and  Dixey's,  in  Phil- 
adelphia ;  George  Christy's,  and  M.  C.  Campbell's  Minstrels. 

Tim  Hayes  was  born  in  Dublin,  Ire.,  September  22,  1841  ;  he  died  in 
Washington,  D.  C,  May  12,  1877. 

Billy  Hart  arrived  in  the  United  States  on  his  eighth  birthday.  He  made 
his  first  appearance  professionally  in  New  York,  January  26,  1862.  In  April, 
same  3'ear,  he  appeared  in  black-face  for  the  first  time,  and  sang  "Ham  Fat"; 
subsequently  and  for  many  seasons  he  appeared  with  many  prominent  minstrel 
companies. 

A  few  years  before  his  death  he  essayed  Irish  characters,  and  was  very 
successful. 

He  was  born  in  County  Tipperary,  Ireland,  March  17,  1842;  he  died  in 
New  York,  July  9,  1879. 

Charles  H.  Day  spent  nearly  all  of  his  life  in  the  amusement  world.  He 
was  well  known  as  an  author,  agent  and  journalist:  he  was  connected  in  an 
executive  capacity  with  such  minstrel  organizations  as  Cleveland's  and  New- 
comb  and  Arlington's. 

About  forty  years  ago  he  was  interested  in  Sharpley,  Sheridan,  Mack 


152  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

and  Day's  Minstrels ;  later  this  company  was  known  as  Sheridan,  Mack  and 
Day's  Minstrels. 

Charles  H.  Day  died  in  New  Haven,  Conn.,  October  3,  1907;  age  65 
years. 

Harry  Stanwood  (Stevens)  was  famous  as  a  banjoist  and  comedian  for 
many  years. 

In  1863  he  was  with  Duprez  and  Green's  Minstrels;  in  1871  with  New- 
comb  and  Arlington's  Company  in  New  York.  He  was  also  with  Bryant's 
Minstrels  in  the  same  city,  as  well  as  many  other  first-class  organizations 
during  the  twenty-five  years  or  so  he  was  before  the  public.  Harry  Stan- 
wood  was  born  in  Cobourg,  Canada,  November  2,  1842 ;  he  died  there  Sep- 
tember 21,  1886. 

Bob  Fraser  was  equally  well-known  as  a  minstrel  and  pantomimist. 

Originally  a  scene  painter,  it  was  while  employed  in  that  capacity  with 
Carncross  and  Dixey's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  that  he  made  his  debut  as 
an  end  man.  He  invariably  arranged  the  Christmas  pantomimes  with  the 
company  in  which  he  was  identified ;  and  in  that  way  gradually  forsook  cork 
for  chalk. 

On  Christmas  Day,  1876,  he  became  associated  in  the  management  of 
the  minstrels  with  Billy  Sweatnam  at  the  Arch  Street  Opera  House,  Phila- 
delphia ;  the  organization  was  then  known  as  Sweatnam  and  Eraser's  Min- 
strels. 

Bob  Fraser  was  born  in  Philadelphia;  he  died  in  New  York  City,  August 
4,  1896 ;  age  54  years.  , 

Sam.  Devere  was  one  of  the  best-known  black-face  banjoists  before  the 
public.  He  first  applied  cork  to  his  features  when  twenty  years  of  age,  in  a 
music  hall  in  Brooklyn,  on  the  site  now  occupied  by  the  Court  Theatre. 

In  1879  he  starred  in  "Jasper,"  a  play  in  which  he  played  one  of  the 
principal  characters,  in  black-face.  One  year  later  he  went  to  Europe  with 
Haverly's  Minstrels,  opening  in  London,  July  31,  1880. 

September  15,  1890,  at  the  Gayety  Theatre,  Albany,  N.  Y.,  the  first  per- 
formance of  Sam  Devere's  Own  Company  was  given,  and  the  company  con- 
tinued on  the  road  ever  since.  Even  at  the  present  date,  the  trade-mark  is 
Still  in  use. 

Mr.  Devere  achieved  wide  popularity  by  singing  the  famous  ditty,  "The 
[Whistling  Coon." 

Sam  Devere  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  March  i,  1907;  age  about  65  years. 

Sanford  and  Wilson  are  credited  with  being  the  original  musical  mokes; 
they  certainly  were  among  the  earliest  double  acts  of  this  kind. 

Both  were  big  men,  and  both  capable  comedians.  The  violin  and  banjo 
were  about  the  only  instruments  they  played:  but  they  could  play  them,  and 
no  two  performers  ever  got  more  comedy  out  of  these  instruments  than  they. 

They  formed  a  partnership  in  August,  1873,  and  during  their  many 
years  on  the  stage  they  played  all  the  principal  variety  houses,  and  engage- 
ments with  Bryant's,  also  Haverly's  Minstrels. 

Mr.  Wilson  retired  from  theatricals  in  May,   1892. 


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154  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Tames  Sanford  (Thos.  Pynes),  was  born  in  Milbury,  Mass.,  in  1843;  he 
died  "in  Cohoes,  N.  Y.,  December  23,  1891. 

Charles  Wilson  (Neiman),  was  born  in  Milwaukee,  .Wis. ;  he  died  in 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  February  15,  1893;  age  51  years. 

'  John  Bowman.  This  prominent  song  and  dance  artist  began  his  regular 
career  at  Graham's  Concert  Hall  on  Market  Street,  near  Second,  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  in  October,  1863,  where  he  met  with  much  success  doing  an  "Essence." 
It  was  there  that  he  met  his  future  partner,  William  Harris,  though  he  did 
not  join  him  in  partnership  at  that  time.  After  Graham's  he  went  to  Jake 
Esher's  Bowery,  same  city,  doing  "ends"  and  comedy ;  traveling  engagements 
followed  until  he  met  Harris  again  at  Deagle's  in  St.  Louis,  1866,  when  the 
partnership  was  formed;  they  remained  at  Deagle's  Varieties  one  year,  played 
many  variety  theatres,  and  engagements  in  St.  Louis  with  Fred  Wilson's 
Minstrels,  also  Simmons  and  Slocum  in  Philadelphia.  Bowman  and  Harris 
dissolved  partnership  in  Canada  in  1873  while  with  the  L.  B.  Lent's  Circus. 
After  separating  from  IMr.  Harris  he  opened  in  Providence,  R.  L,  with 
Archie  Stalker,  and  played  other  dates,  later  taking  out  the  Bowman  Broth- 
ers ]\Iinstrels  ;  a  wagon  show. 

In  1881  he  went  to  work  for  William  Harris,  in  Boston,  and  has  been 
with  him  ever  since. 

John  Bowman  was  born  in  ]\IobiIe,  Ala.,  November  16,  1842. 

Wiixi.xM  Harris,  famous  in  professional  circles  for  many  years  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  great  theatrical  syndicate,  began  his  career  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  in 
the  early  days  of  the  Civil  War,  as  a  black-face  song  and  dance  man,  playing 
the  variety  houses  until  i865,  when  he  formed  a  partnership  with  John  Bow- 
man, which  lasted  until  1873,  when  they  separated.  Mr.  Harris  next  allied 
himself  with  William  Carroll,  a  good  comedian  and  banjoist,  and  as  Harris 
and  Carroll  played  many  first-class  engagements,  including  Tony  Pastor's 
Road  Company ;  they  separated  in  1879.  Later  he  went  to  Boston  at  the 
Howard  Athenaeum,  as  stage  and  acting  manager  for  Josh.  Hart,  subse- 
quentlv  taking  the  house  himself,  and  retaining  it  for  several  seasons.  After- 
wards, in  conjunction  with  Isaac  Rich,  they  had  many  stars  under  their  ban- 
ner, including  George  Thatcher,  Andrew  Mack  and  many  others. 

Mr.  Harris  is  one  of  the  youngest  looking  men  ip  the  profession,  retain- 
ing the  appearances  of  youth  to  a  remarkable  degree :  he  hails  from  St.  Louis, 
Mo.  I  didn't  get  his  age,  but  I  am  sure  he  must  be  younger  than  he  would 
admit  that  he  is. 

(Overture— "Apple  of  My  Eye.") 

Joe.  Lang,  the  old-time  black-face  performer,  made  his  first  appearance 
with  the  Morris  Brothers,  Pell  and  Trowbridge's  Minstrels,  at  an  early  age. 
Subsequently  he  played  an  engagement  with  Morris  and  Wilson's  Minstrels 
in  St.  Louis. 

Mr.  Lang  had  the  management  of  the  Adelphi  Theatre  in  Buffalo  for 
several  seasons,  and  the  Halsted  Street  Theatre  in  Chicago. 

He  was  also  associated  professionally  with  "Hank"  Mudge,  the  old  time 
clog  dancer. 

Joe  Lang  was  born  in  New  York,  September  21,  about  1843. 


FROM  "DADDY-  RICE  TO  DATE.  155 

Mike  Foley  was  a  well-known  black-face  comedian,  and  during  the  70's 
did  an  excellent  black-face  act  with  Buck  Shaffer,  as  Foley  and  Sheffer.  He 
was  also  of  the  team  of  Foley  and  Wade. 

He  had  retired  from  active  theatricals  about  nine  years  prior  to  his 
death,  which  occurred  at  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  September  10,  1888,  at  the  age  of 
45  years. 

Thompson  and  Kerns  were  the  first  black-face  double  song  and  dance  team. 

Prior  to  their  advent,  performers  invariably  worked  singly.  Their  first 
joint  appearance  was  made  in  Washington,  D.  C,  in  1861  ;  a  year  previous 
Mr.  Kerns  had  made  his  professional  debut  at  Long's  Varieties,  Philadelphia. 
Thompson  and  Kerns  continued  in  partnership  for  several  years,  playing 
the  variety  theatres  almost  exclusively. 

After  separating,  Mr.  Thompson  joined  Newcomb's  Minstrels  in  Cin- 
cinnati, August,   1867. 

About  1871  he  produced  "On  Hand,"  a  sensational  drama,  in  which  Mr. 
Thompson  portrayed  tw-elve  distinct  characters;  black,  white  and  yellow; 
male  and  female ;  of  various  nationalities.  At  last  accounts  he  was  still 
playing  "On  Hand,"  early  in  the  current  year. 

Mr.  Thompson  is  the  father  of  Mollie  Thompson,  the  favorite  dancer 
of  a  decade  ago ;  and  the  father-in-law  of  Eddie  Garvie,  who  has  played  more 
than  one  black-face  part. 

Mr.  Thompson  was  also  the  oldest  living  musical  moke. 

Johnny  Thompson  was  born  in  New  York,  July  4,  1843. 

Frank  Kerns  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  1844;  he  died  in  New  York,  Sep- 
tember 21,   1877. 

Ch.-\rles  Bortell  was  well-known  as  a  capable  and  bass  singer  and  inter- 
locutor.    His  last  minstrel  engagement  was  with  I.  W.  I3aird's  Company. 

At  one  time  he  was  a  member  of  the  police  force  in  Saratoga,  N.  Y. ;  he 
died  there  November  26,  1888;  age  45  years. 

Oscar  Willis  (McLain)  was  well-known  as  a  ban  joist  and  comedian  chiefly 
on  the  variety  stage. 

His  first  appearance  was  made  in  his  native  city  in  1858. 

In  1871  he  was  end  man  and  comedian  with  Unsworth's  Minstrels. 
November  16,  1867,  he  married  Gussie  Lamoreux,  a  well-known  dancer,  at 
Baltimore,  Md. 

Mr.  Willis  was  born  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  July  14,  1843;  ''^  died  at  Bis- 
marck, Dakota,  August  19,  1881. 

John  Wild.  This  truly  great  impersonator  of  the  colored  man  was  rather 
an  unique  performer ;  for  whereas  most  of  his  contemporaries  portrayed  the 
black  man  of  the  plantation,  John  Wild's  characterizations  were  generally 
those  of  the  tov^'n  negro,  of  which  he  made  an  especial  study  from  New  York 
City  life. 

About  1857  Mr.  Wild  met  Billy  Arlington,  and  became  a  member  of  Ar- 
lington and  White's  Minstrels ;  the  company  consisted  of  the  three  already 
named,  and  lasted  one  week.  The  ne.xt  three  years  were  mostly  circus  and 
variety   engagements.     Early   in    1863   he   went    to    Carncross   and    Dixey's 


156  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  occupying  the  tambo  end ;  he  subsequently  played 
the  variety  theatres  with  IBlanche  Stanley  in  an  act  called  "Nerves,"  in  which 
he  created  a  sensation. 

Mr.  Wild  afterwards  was  with  the  minstrel  companies  of  Emerson,  Allen 
and  Manning's,  and  the  Morris  Brothers  in  Boston,  which  company  he  left 
to  become  one  of  the  proprietors  of  Dougherty,  Wild,  Barney  and  Mac's 
Minstrels  in  1869.  He  joined  Harrigan  and  Hart's  Company,  January  28, 
1878,  and  continued  with  them  until  and  after  Tony  Hart  left  the  organiza- 
tion, remaining  until  1889,  when  he  starred  in  "Running  Wild." 

The  following  year  he  was  with  George  Thatcher's  Minstrels,  and  on 
December  29,  1890,  he  rejoined  Harrigan,  continuing  with  him  until  1895. 

In  conjunction  with  Mrs.  Annie  Yeamans  and  Dan  Collyer,  he  began  a 
tour  in  vaudeville,  January  10,   1898. 

John  Wild's  death  was  a  distinct  and  irreparable  loss  to  the  profession 
he  so  ably  graced. 

Mr.  Wild  was  twice  married;  his  second  wife,  Ada  Wray,  was  well- 
known  in  the  profession  several  years  ago. 

John  Wild  was  born  in  Manchester,  England,  December  29,  1843 ;  he 
died  in  Averill  Park,  N.  Y.,  March  2,  1898. 

George  W.  Rockefeller,  well-known  as  a  vocalist  and  banjoist,  opened  with 
the  5th  Engineer  Minstrels  at  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  September  4,  1865 ;  shortly 
after  this  company  was  known  as  Wagner  and  Hague's  Minstrels.  Subse- 
quently he  was  with  Lloyd's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  and  Tunnison's  Min- 
strels in  Philadelphia ;  he  joined  Bryant's  Company  in  New  York  in  1868,  and 
was  with  them  for  quite  a  while. 

He  was  with  Buckley's  Serenaders,  also  in  New  York,  in  the  Summer 
of  1870;  in  the  Fall  he  joined  the  San  Francisco  Minstrels,  likewise  in  New 
York. 

He  opened  with  Emerson's  Minstrels  in  San  Francisco,  August  19,  1872; 
May  12,  following  he  sailed  for  Australia  with  that  company,  and  remained 
in  the  Antipodes  after  leaving  Emerson,  finally  returning  to  the  United 
States  in  the. Summer  of  1879. 

He  again  went  to  California,  where  he  died  at  Colton,  that  State,  March 
18,  1886.     Mr.  Rockefeller  was  born  at  Penfield,  N.  Y.,  March  14,  1843. 

Charley  Pettengill.  Minstrelsy  suffered  an  irreparable  loss  in  the  un- 
timely death  of  this  brilliant  comedian ;  a  comedian  in  fact,  and  versatile  to  a 
degree. 

August  I,  1864,  he  opened  with  Buckley's  Serenaders  in  Boston,  and  became 
a  great  favorite  at  once.  Subsequently  he  joined  the  Morris  Bros.  Minstrels  in 
the  same  city,  where  he  remained  until  February  13,  1866.  September  10,  fol- 
lowing, he  played  a  brief  engagement  with  Sands  and  Herbert's  Minstrels,  and 
the  same  month  returned  to  his  home  in  Albany  to  organize  Pettengill's  Minstrels, 
which  continued  intermittently  until  September  22,  1869,  when  in  conjunction 
with  Johnny  Allen  and  Delehanty  and  Hengler,  a  company  bearing  their  names 
was  launched  at  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

In  November  following  they  opened  for  a  run  in  New  York,  that  terminated 
June  I,  1870. 


JOHN   GORMAN  JAMES  GORMAN  GEO.    GORMAN 

THE  GORMAN  BROS. ;  ALWAYS  ON  TOP. 


AMOS   ARNOLD  BILLY  ARNOLD  FRANK  ARNOLD 

THE  FAMOUS  ARNOLD  BROS. ;  A  GREAT  TREAT  FOR  BILLY. 


t58  MONARCHS  OF  IMXSTRELSV, 

Mr.  Pettengill  is  declared  to  liave  been  the  original  "Nicodemus  Johnson"; 
if  he  wasn't,  he  certainly  was  the  greatest.    All  honor  to  his  memury. 

Cliarley  Pettengill  was  born  in  AUjany,  N.  Y.,  where  he  died  October  lo, 
1870 :  age  2y  years. 

M.  B.  Leavitt  (]\Iichael  Bennett  Levy)  commenced  his  professional  career 
as  a  minstrel  in  1859;  he  was  one  of  the  end  men,  and  ajjpeared  under  his  own 
name  as  M.  B.  Levy ;  Mr.  Leavitt  has  been  a  comedian  ever  since — but  not  always 
on  the  stage. 

To  name  all  the  minstrel  companies  he  has  been  with  would  be  a  difficult 
matter,  also  all  the  things  he  did  in  them. 

In  1867  he  was  a  clown  and  comic  vocalist;  in  1872  he  did  a  stump  speech 
on  the  occasion  of  his  last  appearance  as  a  "black-face"  performer.  There  were 
any  number  of  "Leavitt's  Minstrels"  in  the  6o's. 

About  forty  years  ago  he  became  associated  with  Mme.  Rentz's  Female  Min- 
strels; when  the  fall  season  opened,  September  18,  1871,  Mr.  Leavitt  was  treasurer 
of  the  company.  This  organization  subsequently  developed  into  the  Rentz-Santley 
Troupe,  the  burlesque  show  of  many  years'  standing.  Most  of  the  Leavitt  millions 
were,  made  with  this  company. 

In  1881  Leavitt's  Gigantean  Minstrels  were  organized,  and  in  1889  Leavitt's 
European  Minstrels  toured. 

Mr.  Leavitt  has  broken  into  the  ranks  of  authors,  and  an  interesting  volume 
from  his  pen  may  shortly  be  expected. 

M.  B.  Leavitt  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  June  24,  1843. 

Arthur  Cook,  the  well-known  minstrel  tenor  who  made  popular  "Ring  the 
Bells  Softly,"  "Essie  Dear"'  and  other  favorite  compositions,  came  to  America 
about  1853,  and  was  prominently  identified  with  such  well-known  minstrel  organi- 
zations as  Bryant's,  in  New  York ;  Carncross'  and  Thatcher  and  Ryman's  in 
Philadelphia ;  Hooley's  in  Brooklyn ;  San  Franciscos  in  New  York ;  Primrose 
and  West;  also  with  Edward  Harrigan,  "The  County  Fair"  and  "The  Man  From 
Boston." 

Arthur  Cook  was  born  in  London,  England ;  he  died  in  Boston,  Mass., 
November  i,  1893;  age  50  years. 

Billy  McAllister's  career  began  at  the  age  of  sixteen,  singing  in  concerts. 

In  1862  he  joined  the  Fuller  New  York  combination  Minstrels  as  a  com- 
edian, and  as  a  comedian  no  one  has  ever  been  able  to  justly  gainsay  his  right 
to  that  term. 

In  1864  he  organized  the  Cross,  Fay  and  McAllister's  Minstrels,  and  until 
1870  he  was  associated  with  various  companies;  in  the  fall  of  that  year  he  joined 
Cal.  Wagner's  Minstrels ;  Mr.  MciMlister  demonstrated  his  versatility  with  this 
company  by  performing  at  various  times  the  duties  of  balladist,  interlocutor  and 
comedian. 

In  1872  he  was  with  Harry  Robinson's  Minstrels,  and  most  of  the  period 
from  then  until  1880  was  identified  with  his  own  companies. 

Commencing  in  that  year  with  I.  W.  Baird's  Minstrels,  he  remained  two 
seasons.  In  1882  he  became  a  member  of  Haverly's  Mastodon  Minstrels,  and 
in  1883  Rctinfon  and  McAllister's  Minstrels  took  the  road,  but  gave  it  back 
the  following  year. 


FROM  -'DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  159 

July  30,  1885,  Mr.  McAllister  opened  with  McNish,  Johnson  and  Slavin's 
Minstrels  in  his  native  city,  at  the  initial  performance  of  that  company;  early 
in  1886  he  joined  Carncross'  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  sitting  opposite  to  Lew 
Dockstader. 

Mr.  McAllister  has  been  a  prominent  citizen  of  Troy,  N.  Y.,  where  he  has 
been  engaged  in  business  for  more  than  twenty  years. 

Billy  McAllister  was  born  in  Paterson,  N.  J.,  March  15,   1843. 

Frank  Bell  (Peter  Jaggers),  best  known  as  a  unique  stump-speaker,  made 
his  first  appearance  in  Olean,  N.  Y.,  in  September,  1864,  and  shortly  after  joined 
Wood's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  as  a  clog  dancer. 

Subsequent  minstrel  engagements  were  with  the  original  New  Orleans  Min- 
strels, Simmons,  Slocum  and  Sweatnam's.  Arm_strong  Bros.,  George  Clapham's 
Minstrels,  Barlow,  Wilson,  Primrose  and  West's,  Haverly's,  Harry  Robinson's, 
and  Lester  and  Allen's.  The  crowning  success  of  his  career  was  with  "\\'ay 
Down  East,"  in  white-face,  playing  the  constable,  and  singing.  "All  Bound 
Round  With  a  Woolen  String;"  Mr.  Bell  also  played  a  character  part  with 
Otis  Skinner  in  "Your  Humble  Servant,"  in  1910. 

Frank  Bell  was  born  in  Thurle,  Can.,  September   17,   1843. 

Major  (John  E.)  Burk,  known  far  and  wide  for  his  famous  gmi  drill,  has 
been  with  many  prominent  minstrel  organizations  in  the  United  States  and 
England,  usually  appearing  in  black-face,  the  act  seemingly  being  enhanced 
in  appearance  at  least,  by  the  addition  of  burnt  cork. 

He  first  appeared  with  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  in  1868,  also  played 
engagements  there  in  1869  and  1870.  Subsequently  he  was  with  San  Sharpley, 
season  1872-73 ;  first  appearance  in  England  at  Hague's  Minstrels,  London, 
April  17,  1876;  also  played  at  Hague's,  Liverpool,  and  Moore  and  Burgess  in 
London;  Hooley  &  Emerson's  Megatherians,  season  1879-80;  Livermore  Bros, 
in  England ;  Frank  Moran's  Minstrels,  Carncross'  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  and 
the  Big  4  Minstrels,  1880-81. 

Major  Burk  was  born  in  New  York  City,  June  21,  1845,  and  now  resides 
there. 

Milt.  G.  Barlow  was  one  of  the  greatest  "old  darky"  delineators  that 
minstrelsy  has  known,  and  probably  did  more  to  popularize  "Old  Black  Joe" 
than  any  other  performer. 

Mr.  Barlow  originally  aspired  to  be  a  Dutch  comedian.  His  first  minstrel 
engagement  was  with  the  Jackson  Emersonians  in  1870;  the  tour  lasted  about 
four  weeks ;  subsequently  he  returned  to  the  variety  business,  doing  black-face, 
Dutch  and  Irish. 

Shortly  after  this  he  played  an  engagement  with  Harry  Robinson's  Minstrels, 
also  Benjamin's  New  Orleans  Minstrels. 

Mr.  Barlow  became  a  member  of  Haverly's  Minstrels  about  1874,  and  con- 
tinued with  them  until  March  24,  1877;  two  days  later  joining  Sweatnam  and 
Eraser's   Minstrels   in   Philadelphia. 

On  August  20,  1877,  the  first  performance  of  Barlow,  Wilson,  Primrose 
and  West's  Minstrels  was  given ;  the  last  was  at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  June  10, 
1882.  In  the  latter  year  Barlow,  Wilson  &  Co.'s  Minstrels  were  organized,  and 
later   Barlow,   Wilson   and    Rankin's    Minstrels. 


l6o  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Afterwards  Mr.  Barlow  was  with  Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West's,  and 
Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels. 

In  August,  1894,  Barlow,  Dolson  and  Powers'  Minstrels  took  the  road. 
For  several  years  after  this  he  was  with  "The  White  Slave"  Co.,  and  "Uncle 
Tom's  Cabin,"  playing  the  title  role. 

Milt.  G.  Barlow  was  born  in  Lexington,  Ky.,  June  29,  1843;  he  died  in 
New  York  City,  September  27,  1904. 

Wm.  a.  Huntley  (Penno)  made  his  first  appearance  on  the  stage  in  his 
native  city  at  the  age  of  six  years,  playing  little  Tom  Bruce,  in  "Nick  of  the 
Woods."  His  first  minstrel  engagement  was  with  Mead's  Euterpean  Minstrels, 
in  1862,  at  New  London,  Conn.  In  1865  he  joined  the  Campbell  and  Huntley 
Minstrels,  remaining  some  years. 

Minstrelsy  lost  him  from  1868  to  1870.  In  September,  1871,  he  made  his 
first  appearance  in  white- face  at  the  Howard  in  Boston;  subsequent  engagements 
were  with  the  Lauri  English  Pantomime  Troupe  and  the  Martinetti  French  Ravel 
Pantomime  Co.  In  the  Spring  of  1873  lis  joined  the  McKee  and  Rogers  Co., 
afterwards  rejoining  the  Martinetti  Troupe. 

In  1874  he  became  co-partner  with  Dr.  Huntley  in  the  management  of 
Huntley's  Minstrels;  then  came  engagements  extending  some  years  in  the  prin- 
cipal theatres  of  the  country. 

Mr.  Huntley  was  especially  engaged  for  Haverly's  Minstrels  in  London, 
to  lead  the  big  banjo  act  in  which  twelve  performers  appeared  at  one  time;  he 
opened  at  Her  Majesty's  Theatre,  July  31,  1880,  and  remained  three  months. 
It  was  during  this  period  that  Mr.  Huntley  had  the  honor  of  appearing  before 
the  Royal  Family ;  he  subsequently  played  in  the  principal  cities  of  England,  also 
in  Paris,  and  returned  to  the  United  States  to  fill  out  his  contract  with  one  of  Mr. 
Haverly's   organizations   here. 

From  1 88 1  to  1884  he  was  with  Whitmore  and  Clark's  Minstrels,  and  later 
formed  a  partnership  with  John  H.  Lee,  formerly  of  Adams  and  Lee ;  sub- 
sequently they  opened  a  studio  in  Providence,  where  they  met  with  much  success, 
especially  in  the  introduction  of  the  banjeaurine  and  the  bass  banjo.  Mr.  Huntley 
has  long  since  retired  from  minstrelsy,  but  the  appellation  of  the  "Classic 
Banjoist"  he  so  justly  earned  years  ago,  is  still  his. 

Wm.  A.  Huntley  was  born  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  November  2,  1843. 

J.  J.  Kelly  was  one  of  the  best  known  vocalists  in  m'instrelsy.  He  entered 
the  profession  about  1853,  and  had  been  with  such  famous  companies  as  Emer- 
son's, Haverly's,  Bryant's,  in  New  York;  Barlow,  Wilson,  Primrose  and  West's; 
and  Morris  Bros.,  Pell  and  Trowbridge's  in  Boston.  Mr.  Kelly  died  in  Boston, 
Mass.,  July  20,  1902. 

Wm.  J.  AsHCROFT  was  one  of  the  most  versatile  performers  that  ever  blacked 
their  face.  His  first  professional  appearance  was  in  Pawtuckett,  R.  I.,  as  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Julian  Minstrels. 

In  1866  he  was  with  Seaver's  Minstrels,  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  He  was  also  with 
Lloyd's  Minstrels.  About  1872  he  went  to  England,  and  later  when  returning  to 
the  United  States,  he  brought  over  and  was  the  first  to  produce  in  this  country, 
an  eccentric  black-face  specialty  called  the  "Funny  Old  Gal ;"  in  this  he  was 
phenomenally  successful. 


TOMMY    GRANGER 


"JIM"    BUDWORTH 


BILLY   RICE 


"HAPPY"    CAL.    WAGNER 


J.    W.   McANDREWS 
(The  "Watermelon   Man") 


A  QUAINT  QUINTETTE. 


i62  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Prior  to  this  lie  was  a  partner  for  several  months  of  J.  W.  Morton. 

Mr.  Ashcroft  again  visited  England  in  1875,  where  he  became  one  of  the 
greatest  favorites  the  old  world  ever  knew,  appearing  chiefly  in  white-face  char- 
acter work. 

W.  J.  Ashcroft  has  resided  in  Europe  for  many  years. 

Matt.  Wheeler  (Mathias  Wittenwiler)  is  still  with  us.  His  first  profes- 
sional appearance  was  at  Sanford's  Opera  House,  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  with  Joe. 
Miller's  Minstrels  in  1864.  For  several  years  following  he  played  successful 
stock  engagements  at  Baltimore.  Philadelphia  and  other  cities. 

Season  of  1871-72  Mr.  Wheeler  was  with  Bishop's  Serenaders ;  the  follow- 
ing year  he  joined  the  Morris  Bros.  Minstrels  for  a  road  tour. 

In  1873  he  began  a  season's  engagement  with  Simmons  and  Slocum's  Min- 
strels at  their  theatre  in  Philadelphia :  the  following  season  was  also  spent  in  the 
Quaker  City  with  Carncross'  Minstrels. 

Mr.  Wheeler  was  with  Haverly's  Minstrels  early  in  1877,  and  in  the  Fall  of 
that  year  returned  to  Carncross'  Co.,  and  remained  there  until  the  retirement  of 
the  latter,  January  25,  1896.  Mr.  Wheeler  continued  with  Frank  Dumont  when 
the  latter  took  the  management  of  the  house  two  days  later,  and  has  since  played 
several  engagements  there. 

While  a  member  of  stock  in  the  Maryland  Institute  in  1869,  Mr.  Wheeler 
was  very  successful  in  the  portrayal  of  such  black-face  character  parts  as  Wool, 
in  the  "Hidden  Hand" ;  Pete,  in  the  "Octoroon,"  and  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin." 

Matt.  Wheeler  was  born  in  St.  Gaul,  Switzerland,  March  4,  1843. 

Con.  T.  Murphy  (John  D.  Murphy),  who  was  widely  known  as  an  actor, 
author  and  song-writer,  was  also  very  much  of  a  minstrel,  and  a  good  interlocutor. 

He  was  with  Bryant's  Company  in  New  York  at  the  opening  of  the  season, 
September  i,  1873,  and  was  identified  with  several  other  organizations. 

He  was  born  in  Cork,  Ireland,  in  1844;  he  died  at  Lake  Bluff,  111.,  July  26, 
1907. 

Little  Mac  (Ebenezer  Nicholson)  was  a  dwarf  scarcely  more  than  three 
feet  high.  He  took  the  name  of  Little  Mac  during  the  Civil  War  out  of  compli- 
ment to  Gen.  McClellan,  who  was  very  popular  at  that  time.  The  major  portion 
of  his  professional  career  was  spent  in  New  York  with  Bryant's  Minstrels,  where 
he  made  his  first  appearance,  November  27,  1865. 

In  the  summer  of  1869  with  Hughey  Dougherty,  John  Wild  and  Master 
Barney,  he  headed  a  minstrel  company  bearing  their  names. 

He  subsequently  returned  to  Bryant's,  where  he  remained  until  late  in  1871. 

Thereafter  his  engagements  were  desultory;  his  last  regular  appearance  was 
with  Daly  Brothers  in  "Upside  Down."  He  was  a  clever  comediaii,  and  was 
prominently  identified  with  his  "Essence"  and  "Big  Shoe  Dance."  . 

Little  Mac  was  born  in  Brockville,  Canada,  July  11,  1844;  he  died  in  New 
York,  Aprd  7,  1890. 

Tommy  Gettings  was  a  well-known  jig  dancer,  and  during  his  brief  career 
had  been  with  the  Bryant's  in  New  York,  and  other  well-known  minstrel  com- 
panies. 

He  died  in  New  York,  November  25,  1866;  age  22  years. 


FROM  -DADDY-  RICE  TO  DATE.  163 

Billy  Rice  (Wm.  H.  Pearl).  ]\Iinstrelsy  knew  no  greater  favorite  than 
this  once  well-known  comedian,  who  made  his  professional  debut  in  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y.,  in  1865,  at  Poole  and  Donnelly's  Theatre,  appearing  in  black-face,  and 
assuming  the  name  by  which  he  was  always  identified. 

He  continued  in  the  variety  business  mostly  until  1S69,  when  he  joined 
Newcomb's  Minstrels;  the  following  year  he  was  with  Hooley's,  in  Brooklyn, 
and  when  that  company  made  their  first  appearance  in  Chicago,  January  2,  1871, 
Mr.  Rice  was  a  member. 

Late  that  year  he  became  identified  with  Manning's  Minstrels  in  the  same 
city.  continjLiing  there  until  about  February  i,  1872,  when  he  again  joined  Ilooley 
in  Brooklyn.  Subsequently  he  was  with  Arlington,  Cotton  and  Kemble's  Min- 
strels in  Chicago,  and  later  opened  a  variety  theatre  there. 

In  1874  he  was  with  Emerson's  Minstrels  in  San  Francisco  and  on  tour, 
remaining  several  months.  January  29,  1877,  Rice  and  Hooley's  Minstrels 
opened  in  New  York ;  later  he  rejoined  Emerson,  and  the  following  year  he 
became  a  member  of  Haverly's  Minstrels,  with  whom  he  continued  several 
seasons. 

In  1882  Rice  and  Hooley's  Minstrels  again  was  formed,  terminating  as 
Billy  Rice's  Minstrels  the  following  January,  when  he  opened  with  Thatcher, 
Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels,  and  remained  with  them  until  1887,  when  Sweat- 
nam.  Rice  and  Fagan's  Minstrels  were  organized.  Rice  and  Sheppard's  Min- 
strels in  1888,  and  subsequently  with  Cleveland's  Minstrels;  Primrose  and  West's 
and  a  return  to  Haverly's  Minstrels  in  1898  practically  completed  the  minstrel 
career  of  the  great  end  man  and  stump-speaker. 

Mr.  Rice  married  Blanche  Carman,  an  actress,  April  8,  1871,  in  Chicago. 

Billy  Rice  was  born  in  Marion,  N.  Y.,  December  12,  1844;  he  died  in  Hot 
Springs,  Arkansas,  March  i,  1902. 


The  Three  Arnold  Brothers  were  prominent  in  the  70's  and  8o's,  but  away 
back,  March  21,  1862,  there  was  another  set  with  Mrs.  Matt.  Peel's  Minstrels; 
Herman,  Frank  and  Richard  Arnold  respectively. 


Wm.  FIenry  Rice  made  his  first  professional  appearance  as  a  boy  singer  in 
Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  December  6,  1856. 

His  first  minstrel  engagement  was  at  Johnson's  Hall.  Xorfolk,  \'a.,  September 
19,  1859,  with  Sanford's  Minstrels,  where  he  sang  in  the  first  part,  did  a  dance 
in  the  olio,  and  otherwise  was  useful. 

At  this  time  and  until  1865  he  was  known  as  Master  Lewis,  and  later,  W.  FI. 
Lewis,  the  latter  being  the  maiden  name  of  his  mother. 

In  i860  he  was  with  Wood's  Minstrels,  and  \Yva.  A.  Christy's  Minstrels. 

About  July,  1 86 1,  he  made  his  first  appearance  in  New  York  as  a  variety 
performer  at  the  Melodeon. 

In  the  fall  of  1861  he  joined  Mrs.  Matt.  Peel's  Minstrels,  and  about  March 
I,  following,  he  became  a  member  of  the  famous  Peak  Family  of  Bell  Ringers 
for  a  brief  period,  subsequently  re-joining  Mrs.  Peel's  Company. 

In  June,  1862,  he  was  with  George  Christy's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  and 
soon  after  joined  Duprez  and  Green's  company,  and  Mead's  Minstrels. 

October  13,  1862,  he  made  his  first  appearance  with  Hooley's  Minstfels  in 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  in  the  spring  of  the  following  year  he  was  with  Horn  and  New- 
comb's  Minstrels,  the  company  subsequently  was  run  by  Newcomb  alone. 


i64  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

He  left  the  latter  and  re-joined  Duprez  and  Green  in  the  fall  of  1863. 

In  March,  1864,  he  was  with  Yankee  Hill's  Minstrels,  and  the  next  month 
re-joined  Hooley  for  the  balance  of  the  season,  again  opening  with  him  August 
22,  following. 

About  March  i,  1865,  he  became  a  member  of  Cotton  and  Murphy's  Min- 
strels, opening  at  Fall  River,  Mass. ;  he  left  this  company  in  the  Fall  of  that  year. 

Xovember  20,  1865,  he  joined  the  famous  San  Francisco  Minstrels  of  Birch, 
Bernard,  Wambold  and  Backus,  taking  and  using  for  the  first  time  his  own  name. 
He  remained  with  this  company  four  years,  in  New  York  City.  On  June  14, 
1869,  he  played  his  first  engagement  with  Haverly's  Minstrels,  opening  at  Balti- 
more ;  a  few  weeks  later  he  was  with  Sharpley's  Minstrels  in  Boston. 

August  23,  1869,  he  began  a  season's  engagement  with  Carncross  and 
Dixey's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  and  July  2,  following,  he  sailed  for  Europe, 
but  did  not  play  there. 

September  2,  1870,  he  opened  with  Welch,  Hughes  and  \Miite's  Minstrels  in 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  at  the  initial  performance  of  that  organization ;  he  closed  there 
October  8,  and  two  days  later  began  a  season's  engagement  with  Simmons  and 
Slocum's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia. 

April  17,  1871,  he  opened  in  New  York  with  Newcomb  and  Arlington's  Min- 
strels, continuing  with  them  there  and  on  tour  several  months. 

The  following  August  he  made  Iris  first  appearance  with  Bryant's  Minstrels 
in  New  York;  he  remained  the  season,  and  in  June,  1872,  played  an  engagement 
in  the  same  city  with  Sharpley's  Minstrels,  after  which  he  went  to  Cincinnati, 
and  joined  Newcomb's  Minstrels.  In  that  city,  September  2,  1872,  the  first  per- 
formance of  Rice's  Minstrels  was  given  at  Melodeon  Hall;  subsequently  moving 
to  Thorn's  Hall,  and  later  taking  the  road,  where  they  disbanded  about  Decem- 
ber I. 

January  27,  1873,  he  re-appeared  at  Bryant's,  and  finished  the  season  there. 

He  re-joined  Simmons  and  Slocum  in  Philadelphia,  August  25,  1873,  and 
barring  a  brief  interval,  was  with  them  all  season. 

June  13,  1874,  he  sailed  for  England,  making  his  first  appearance  there  in 
Liverpool  with  Sam  Hague's  Minstrels,  July  13. 

August  31,  following,  he  again  joined  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  and 
continued  there  until  the  death  of  Dan  Bryant,  April  10,  1875;  the  following 
month  he  joined  Emerson's  Minstrels  in  Chicago. 

August  12,  1876,  he  again  sailed  for  England  where  he  played  a  few  weeks 
in  the  music  halls. 

Returning  to  America  he  joined  Simmons  and  Slocum's  Minstrels  for  a  tour, 
commencing  November  20,  1876. 

After  this  engagement  he  played  the  variety  houses  principally  until  the 
Spring  of  1878,  when  he  engaged  again  with  Haverly,  opening  in  Chicago,  and 
going  to  San  Francisco ;  he  left  Haverly  there  and  opened  at  the  Bella  Union, 
May  13. 

In  the  fall  of  1878  he  was  with  Neil  Bryant's  Minstrels,  and  the  following 
year  with  Joseph  Norcross'  California  Minstrels. 

Jaiuary  3,  1881,  he  began  one  of  the  most  successful  engagements  of  his 
career,  when  he  opened  in  his  native  city  with  Thatcher  and  Ryman's  Minstrels, 
playing  the  title  role  in  a  burlesque  on  Sarah  Bernhardt,  called  "Sarah  Heart- 
burn ;"  his  success  was  phenomenal ;  so  much  so  that  the  great  French  actress 
CJ^pressed  a  desire  to  see  the  caricature  of  herself,  and  accordingly,  on  the  after- 


QUARTETTE  WITH  BRYANT'S  MINSTRELS,  NEW  YORK  CITY,  1870. 
Sig.  J.  Brandisi,  Harry  Norman,  Jas.  G.  Russell,  W.  P.  Grier. 


KELLY  AND  LEON'S  MINSTRELS;  NEW  ZEALAND,  1878. 

From  left  to  right — Chas.  Kelly,  J.  H.  Surridge,  C.  Fredericks,  Wm.  Ball  and 

Billy  Courtright. 
Wm.  Blakeney,  "Leon,"  Edwin  Kelly,  "Japanese  Tommy,"  Beaumont  Read. 


i66  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

noon  of  January  7,  1881,  a  special  performance  was  given  for  her  benefit;  on 
this  occasion  the  Philadelphia  Times  of  January  8,  1881,  said:  "Bernhardt 
looked  up,  blushing  slightly  as  she  perceived  an  enormous  pair  of  glass  bottles 
leveled  at  her  in  place  of  opera  glasses  by  the  cork  female.  Every  eye  in  the 
house  was  riveted  upon  the  woman  whose  characteristics  were  to  be  burlesqued, 
and  the  appearance  of  Rice  v\'as  scarcely  noticed  for  the  second  until  Sarah  her- 
self showed  her  appreciation  of  the  caricature  by  bursting  into  a  fit  of  uncon- 
trollable laughter.  The  agony  displayed  by  Sarah  Heartburn  and  her  tumble 
on  the  stage  only  added  to  the  merriment  of  Bernhardt.  The  fun  continued 
and  reached  its  climax  when  Rice  and  Ryman  impersonated  Camile  and  Armand. 
The  imitations  of  Bernhardt's  stage  attitudes,  and  gestures  caused  Sarah  to 
laugh  to  an  extent  almost  painful.  She  seemed  unable  to  stop,  although  she 
placed  her  handkerchief  over  her  mouth  and  leaned  forward  in  the  effort  to 
restrain  herself.  She  abandoned  all  attempts,  however,  when  the  death  scene 
ensued  and  Heartburn  threw  herself  upon  the  sofa,  after  the  manner  in  which 
a  diver  starts  for  the  bottom  of  the  sea.  Sarah  gave  vent  to  her  sense  of  the 
ludicrous  until  her  eyes  were  full  of  tears.  There  might  have  been  danger  of 
hysterics  had  not  an  attack  of  coughing  interfered  and  had  not  George  Thatcher 
made  li-imself  known  as  Victor,  Heartburn's  son,  blowing  a  horn  and  crying 
lustily.  The  concluding  scene,  however,  again  amused  her,  and  she  clapped 
her  gloved  hands  right  heartily,  seemingly  sorry  when  the  curtain  finally 
descended." 

Mr.  Rice  went  to  London,  England,  with  the  act,  where  he  produced  it  at 
Moore  and  Burgess'  Minstrels,  opening  June  20,  1881.  Returning  in  August 
following,  he  joined  Barlow,  Wilson,  Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels  for  the 
season. 

August  21,  1882,  he  opened  with  Billy  Rice  and  R.  M.  Hooley's  Minstrels; 
and  in  June  following  he  played  a  special  engagement  with  Haverly's  Min- 
strels in  Chicago,  after  which  he  organized  Rice's  Pleasure  Party  in  "Our 
Goblins"  for  the  season  of  1883-84,  playing  a  part  in  the  play  in  black-face. 

August  25,  1884,  he  opened  with  the  Standard  Minstrels  in  San  Francisco 
for  a  few  weeks,  closing  October  4. 

July  30,  1885,  he  began  the  season  with  McNish,  Johnson  and  Slavin's 
Minstrels;  he  was  with  this  company  part  of  the  season  of  1886-87  also.  Sep- 
tember 12,  1887,  in  conjunction  with  John  Hart  and  Add.  Ryman,  he  organized 
a  company  bearing  their  names. 

December  24,  1888,  he  assumed  the  business  management  of  the  Star  Theatre 
in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  on  the  opening  of  that  theatre ;  he  resigned  the  position  and 
soon  after  joined  Johnson  and  Slavin's  Minstrels. 

In  1890  he  organized  the  World's  Fair  Minstrels,  opening  July  17,  at  Eliza- 
beth, N.  J.  Season  of  1891-92  he  was  with  George  Wilson's  Minstrels.  May 
16,  same  year,  he  played  his  first  performance  with  Cleveland's  Minstrels,  and 
continued  with  them  intermittently  until  May   i,   1896. 

In  November,  1898,  he  opened  with  Bartlett's  California  Minstrels  for  a 
brief  season. 

July  31,  1899,  he  began  a  special  engagement  of  four  weeks  with  Wm. 
H.  West's  Minstrels;  October  9,  same  year,  he  opened  with  Harry  Davis'  Min- 
strels in  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  in  an  attempt  at  making  a  permanent  company  in  that 
city;  he  finished  the  season  with  Primrose  and  Dockstader's  Minstrels.      About 


FROM  "DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  167 

January,  1900,  he  began  a  series  of  annual  engagements  with  Frank  Dumont's 
Minstrels  in  Philadelphia. 

His  last  traveling  engagement  was  with  the  "Great  Lafayette"  Company 
in  November,   1902. 

His  last  stage  appearance  was  at  Atlantic  City,  N.  J.,  November  30,  1907. 
The  author  has  no  exact  knowledge  of  engagements  said  to  have  been  played 
with  Haverly,  at  Chicago  in  1892;  Kelly  and  Leon  in  New  York  in  1876,  and 
with  Duprez  and  Benedict's  Minstrels. 

It  is  obviously  a  delicate  matter  for  one  to  speak  of  the  talents,  capabilities, 
etc.,  of  one's  own  father:  but  a  reproduction  of  some  notices  from  the  press 
of  the  country,  may  not  be  considered  bad  form. 

The  Daily  Commercial  (Cincinnati)  of  July  29,  1863,  said:  "The  singing 
of  Mr.  Lewis  surprises  us  more  and  more.  His  imitations  of  the  Prima  Donna 
are  superb,  and  the  brilliant  qualities  of  his  singular  voice  are  an  unfailing 
theme  for  wonder  among  his  hearers.  The  first  time  he  breaks  into  a  song  he 
invariably  startles  his  audience,  who  are  simply  prepared  to  hear  the  strained 
falsetto,  to  which  the  mock  crinoline  of  minstrelsy  has  heretofore  been  com- 
mitted." 

The  Sun  (Baltimore),  July  11,  1865,  said:  "The  voice  of  W.  H.  Lewis, 
the  Prima  Donna,  is  something  remarkable,  and  it  strikes  us  could  be  better 
employed  than  mere  burlesquing." 

The  Philadelphia  correspondent  of  the  Nciv  York  Clipper,  September  4, 
1869,  said:  "This  is  Mr.  Rice's  first  appearance  in  his  native  city,  and  he  has 
made  a  big  hit,  for  on  the  night  we  were  present,  he  received  the  only  third 
encore,  and  a  fourth  was  demanded,  but  not  given." 

The  Evening  Post  (Albany,  N.  Y.),  of  June  13,  1871,  said:  "Wm.  Henry- 
Rice  does  the  Prima  Donna  capitally;  he  is  one  of  the  best  grotesque  singers  we 
ever  saw — Rice  is  a  star  of  the  first  magnitude,  and  can  infuse  more  low  comedy 
into  an  operatic  song  than  any  other  artist." 

The  Stage  (New  York),  November  13,  1871,  said:  "Nillson  is  capitally 
burlesqued  by  W.  H.  Rice,  who  never  descends  to  vulgarity,  and  who  displays 
his  peculiar  talents  to  the  best  possible  advantage." 

The  Era  (New  York),  June  15,  1873,  said:  "One  noticeable  feature  about 
the  performance  was  the  gorgeous  dress  of  Mr.  W.  H.  Rice,  prima  donna  of 
Bryant's  company.  The  dress  could  not  have  cost  less  than  nine  hundred 
dollars.  The  workmanship  was  far  superior  to  anything  we  have  yet  seen  upon 
the  stage.  Neither  Morris,  Davenport  or  Ethel  can  boast  of  such  rich  apparel 
*****  Mr.  Rice  deserves  great  praise  for  his  painstaking  endeavors. 
He  is  an  excellent  singer,  and  conscientious  acior,  and  would  only  acquire  the 
distinction  he  has  already  made  but  by  application  and  study.  To-day  he  is 
without  a  peer  in  the  profession,  and  undoubtedly  one  of  the  best  that  ever 
appeared  upon  the  minstrel  stage." 

An  advertisement  in  a  Liverpool,  England,  paper,  of  Hague's  Minstrels, 
July  20,  1874,  reads,  "Second  week  of  the  star  Burlesque  Prima  Donna  of  the 
world,  Air.  W.  Henry  Rice,  whose  success  with  the  Hague's  is  unprecedented 
in  the  history  of  minstrelsy  in  Liverpool.  Each  night  at  the  conclusion  of  his 
performance  Mr.  Rice  has  received  a  most  enthusiastic  call  before  the  curtain,  an 
instance  of  popularity  seldom  equaled." 

The  Times  (Philadelphia),  of  December  17,  1901,  said:  "Wm.  Henry 
Rice  again  made  his  appearance  as  a  special  member  of  the  Dumont  troupe,  in  the 


i68  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Eleventh  Street  Opera  House,  and  duplicated  his  hit  of  last  season  in  a  new  skit, 
"Roosevelt's  Reception,"  in  which  he  gave  a  grotesque  feminine  impersonation 
along  the  lines  long  ago  made  familiar  by  him.  He  is  the  best  and  one  of  the 
very  last  exemplars  of  an  older  style  of  burnt-cork  fun-making  than  obtains 
to-day,  and  was  wholly  successful  with  last  evening's  audience." 

Frank  Dumont,  in  an  interview  in  the  North  American  (Philadelphia),  Dec. 
29,  1907,  said :  "*  *  *  To  my  dying  day  I  will  not  forget  his  scene  where 
Camille  writes  to  the  father  of  Armand  that  she  will  give  him  up.  Talk  about 
acting!  Why,  he  had  Bernhardt  beaten  a  mile  in  that  scene.  It  was  the  purest 
burlesque  I  have  ever  seen.  For  more  than  twenty  minutes  he  would  keep  the 
audience  in  convulsions  of  laughter.  No  end  man  ever  equaled  him  as  a  genuine 
comedian. 

I  really  think  he  ought  to  be  classed  among  the  greatest  of  actors.  I  mean 
the  really  great  ones,  for  his  work  was  as  much  of  an  art  as  that  of  the  most 
classic  actors  that  are  world-famous.  *  *  *  He  deserves  to  live  in  the  tra- 
ditions of  the  stage.  *  *  *  'Bill'  was  too  fond  of  Philadelphia  to  remain 
long  away  from  it.      Here  he  wanted  to  live  and  die ;  and  he  had  his  wish." 

Wm.  Henry  Rice  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  June  I,  1844;  he  died  there 
December  20,  1907. 


Frank  Cushman's  life's  ambition  was  to  be  associated  with  a  minstrel  com- 
pany in  his  native  city.      He  died  as  it  was  about  to  be  realized. 


G.  Washington  ("Slim  Jim")  Dukelan.  Probably  no  active  musician 
in  theatredom  has  had  a  more  varied  and  lengthy  career  than  "Slim  Jim,"  so 
named  in  1864,  by  G.  Brooks  Clark,  the  well-known  ring  master;  Mr.  Dukelan 
was  about  six  feet  high,  and  130  in  avoirdupois  then;  he  has  filled  in  considerably 
since,  but  he's  still  "Slim  Jim,"  and  probably  always  will  continue  so.  As  Will 
Shakespeare  once  remarked,  "A  Rose  with  any  other  name,  etc." 

His  very  first  public  appearance  was  with  an  amateur  minstrel  show,  doing 
a  song  and  dance,  about  1862,  at  Fulton,  N.  Y.  Two  years  later  he  began  his 
professional  career  as  member  of  the  band  in  A.  P.  Ball's  American  Coliseum 
Circus;  with  this  troupe  G.  W.  once  did  an  "end." 

Mr.  Dukelan  was  with  various  organizations  until  1868,  when  he  joined  the 
Flint  (Mich.)  band;  he  remained  there  some  time,  subsequently  allying  himself 
with  several  well-known  miscellaneous  companies  until  September  15,  1877,  when 
he  joined  Harry  Saxton's  famous  theatre  orchestra  at  Mitchell's  Theatre  Comique, 
St.  Louis,  Mo. ;  he  continued  there  for  three  years,  then  going  with  Mr.  Saxton 
to  the  old  Howard  Athenaeum,  in  Boston,  Mass.,  where  he  remained  four  years; 
at  the  end  of  this  period,  with  this  same  Saxton  at  the  Grand  Central  Theatre 
in  Philadelphia,  he  commenced  an  engagement  that  lasted  three  years. 

Now  comes  the  "Slim  Jim"  we  all  know.  From  1887  to  1889  he  was  with 
Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels ;  following  season  with  Primrose  and 
West.  In  1890  he  was  with  George  Thatcher's  Minstrels,  and  the  following 
year  with  Thatcher  in  "Tuxedo"  (here  "slender  James"  enacted  a  "rube").  In 
1892  he  was  with  Hughey  Dougherty's  "Tuxedo"  and  Minstrel  Company. 

It  was  not  until  1893  that  our  friend  qualified  as  a  "real  trouper ;"  he  then 
joined  Stowe's  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin"  Company.  He  played  in  the  first  per- 
formance of  Primrose  and  Dockstader's  Minstrels  in  1898,  and  continued  with 
them  two  seasons;  in  1900  he  was  with  William  H.  West's  Minstrels,  subse- 


JOE.   B.   McGEE 


ALF.  GIBSON 


JERRY  HART 


EDDIE  CASSADY  BILLY  VAN 

OUR  ENGLISH  COUSINS  WOULD  CALL  THEM  GOOD  CORNER  MEN. 


170  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Quently    he    returned    to    Primrose    and    Dockstader,    and    remained    with    them 
until  the  dissolution  of  the  organization  in   1903. 

He  played  at  the  inaugural  performance  of  Cohan  and  Harris'  Minstrels 
in  1908,  and  is  at  present  with  George  Evans'  Minstrels. 

G.   Washington    (Slim  Jim)    Dukelan  was  born  at  Smith's   Falls,   Canada,   . 
January  12,  18^4;  but  you'd  never  believe  it — the  year,  of  course. 

HuGHEY  Dougherty — if  you  never  heard  of  him,  better  get  acquainted 
now. 

His  real  career  began  Monday  evening,  January  4,  1858,  at  the  famous 
nth  Street  Opera  House,  in  his  native  city,  with  Sanford's  Minstrels;  it  was 
Sam  San  ford  who  christened  him  "Young  America,"  and  the  title  stuck  to 
him  for  many  years ;  other  performers  appropriated  it,  but  it  originated  with 
Hughey  Dougherty;  "stick  a  pin  in  dar,  Brudder  Bones."  He  continued  with 
San  ford  until  i860,  when  he  went  to  Frank  River's  Melodeon,  also  in  the 
Quaker  City. 

i\Ir.  Dougherty's  greatest  success  was  made  as  a  stump-speaker,  when 
the  art  had  its  greatest  vogue  thirty  odd  years  ago;  though  he  occasionally 
gives  a  speech,  and  is  apparently  as  good  as  ever. 

He  has  been  associated  with  the  greatest  minstrel  companies  of  the  past 
and  present,  such  as  Skiff  and  Gaylord's;  Simmons  and  Slocum's,  (Philadel- 
phia); Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West's;  Hooley's  (Brooklyn);  Cleveland's; 
Morris  Brothers  (Boston),  three  years;  Carncross',  and  Carncross  and  Dixey's 
(Philadelphia);  Johnson  and  Slavin's ;  Moore  and  Burgess'  (London,  Eng.)  ; 
Barlow,  Wilson's ;  Barlow,  Wilson  and  Rankin's ;  Haverly ;  and  Duprez  and 
Benedict.  In  addition  there  was  Dougherty,  Wild  (John)  Barney  (Master) 
and  Mac's   (Little)   Minstrels,  who  gave  their  first  performance  July   12,   1869. 

About  three  years  later  he  formed  an  alliance  with  Messrs.  Harvey,  Leslie 
and  Braham ;  they  organized  a  minstrel  show  and  made  an  extensive  tour  of 
Africa.  June  18,  1877,  he  opened  the  Alhambra  Palace,  a  variety  theatre  in 
Philadelphia.  Mr.  Dougherty  also  has  a  record,  unique  in  minstrelsy — just 
about  one-half  of  his  professional  career  was  spent  at  the  theatre  in  which  he 
made  his  debut ;  and  one-half  of  the  total  number  was  with  Dumont's  Minstrels. 

Hughey  Dougherty  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  July  4,  1844. 

Billy  Emmett  (George  Busteed)  was  known  chiefly  in  his  later  years  as 
a  manager,  notably  of  the  Academy  of  IMusic  in  Chicago. 

While  yet  in  his  teens  he  became  stage  struck,  and  after  a  few  inconspicu- 
ous engagements,  began  playing  dates  in  the  variety  houses,  doing  a  black-face 
specialty.  In  1864  he  went  to  Carr's  Melodeon,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  and  with  Nick 
Norton,  did  Dutch  character  sketches.  The  following  year  he  was  with  Green's 
"Mocking  Bird"  Minstrels,  and  in  1866  went  to  New  York,  where  he  played 
several  seasons  with  the  San  Francisco  Minstrels.  He  was  associated  at  vari- 
ous times  with  John  L.  Sullivan,  Callender's  Minstrels  and  Sam  Hague's  Min- 
strels, the  latter  in  the  early  8o's. 

Mr.  Emmett  was  noted  for  his  philanthrophy ;  at  one  time  he  was  reputed 
to  have  left  word  in  the  Chicago  hospitals,  that  in  the  event  of  the  death  of  any 
improvident  variety  or  minstrel  performer,  not  to  give  a  pauper  burial,  but  to 
notify  him    (Emmett)    at  once. 


FROM  "DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  171 

A  few  more  "Billy  Emmett's"  and  the  Actor's  Fund  would  not  be  so  heavily 
burdened. 

Billy  Emmett  was  born  in  New  York  City,  in  1844;  he  died  in  Chicago, 
June  4,  1886. 

McKee  and  Rogers  joined  forces  in  the  Fall  of  1871,  and  during  the  first 
years  of  their  co-partnership  played  the  principal  variety  houses  and  specialty 
companies  of  their  day. 

Their  first  joint  appearance  was  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  they  gave  their 
original  song  and  dance  "Rebecca  Jane ;"  WMth  it  they  were  ever  after  identi- 
fied, as  well  as  "Mischief,"  "Lucinda"  ?nd  several  others. 

About  1874  they  went  to  London,  England,  where  they  played  a  most  suc- 
cessful engagement  with  Moore  and  Burgess'  Minstrels. 

On  iheir  return  to  the  United  States  in  1875,  they  joined  Tony  Pastor's 
road  company,  and  continued  with  it  until  the  death  of  Rogers. 

Stevie  Rogers,  or  "Little  Stevie,"  as  he  was  generally  called,  was  one  of 
the  most  lovable  characters  in  minstrelsy.  As  a  clog  dancer  he  was  second 
to  none  in  his  day. 

His  first  professional  appearance  was  with  the  50  Engineer  Pontoon  Min- 
strels, September  5,  1865;  this  company  in  the  spring  of  the  following  year  was 
known  as  Sam  Hague's  and  Cal.  Wagner's  Minstrel?.  With  that  company  he 
had  a  partner  by  the  name  of  John  O'Brien. 

Stevie  Rogers'  success  was  so  pronounced  that  he  quickly  obtained  a  metro- 
politan engagement  with  Charley  White. 

Subsequently  he  was  with  Kelly  and  Leon's  in  New  York,  and  Hooley's 
Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

In  1870  he  joined  Manning's  Minstrels,  and  on  August  21,  1871,  he  opened 
with  the  Dearborn  Minstrels  in  Chicago.  About  this  time  he  met  Andy  McKee, 
and  the  rest  has  been  told. 

Stevie  Rogers  was  born  in  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  December  11,  1853;  he  died  in 
New  York  City,  March  3,  1876. 

Andy  McKee  first  appeared  professionally  in  1865  at  Cairo,  Illinois. 

Mr.  McKee's  success  was  so  pronounced  with  his  eccentric  dancing,  that  he 
had  little  trouble  in  obtaining  other  variety  engagements  in  Memphis,  New 
Orleans,  Cincinnati  and  St.  Louis. 

In  1867  he  played  his  first  minstrel  engagement  with  Skiff  and  Gaylord ; 
other  prominent  engagements  were  with  Hooley,  and  with  Simmons  and  Slocum. 
Later  he  joined  Manning's  Minstrels,  and  subsequently  met  and  joined  forces 
with  Stevie  Rogers. 

After  the  death  of  the  latter  he  went  to  Europe  with  Hall's  New  York  Min- 
strels, playing  Scotland  and  Ireland ;  subsequently  re-organizing  with  Lew  Sim- 
mons and  Charley  Sutton,  they  went  to  South  Africa,  opening  at  Cape  Town, 
March  17,  1879;  thus  preceding  Colonel  Roosevelt  in  the  exploration  of  that 
country  just  thirty  years.  Afterwards  Mr.  McKee  formed  a  partnership  with 
John  F.  Byrne,  of  the  Brothers  Byrne. 

And  here's  two  more  little  items.  After  Stevie  Rogers'  death,  Mr.  McKee 
doubled  with  Charley  Walters  for  a  brief  season,  opening  at  the  Olympic  Theatre, 
New  York,  August  28,  1876,  and — that  same  year  at  the  Globe  Theatre,  also 
same  city,  Mr.  McKee  created  the  character  of  Cy.  Prime,  in  "Josh  Whitcomb ;" 
the  latter  subsequently  evolutioned  into  the  "Old  Homestead." 


172'  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Andy  McKee  was  born  in  Little  Rock,  Arkansas,  May  ii,  1844;  and  is  now 
a  citizen  of  Seattle,  Washington. 

George  Wilson.  Few  monologue  performers  have  worn  so  well  with  the 
public  as  George  Wilson,  whose  minstrel  career  began  about  forty  years  ago  in 
San  Francisco,  as  co-proprietor  of  Courtright  (Billy),  Farren  (T.  S.)  and  Wil- 
son's Minstrels;  Mr.  Wilson  was  the  song  and  dance  performer  with  this  com- 
pany. 

It  was  not  until  the  fall  of  1871  that  he  decided  to  adopt  minstrelsy  as  a 
regular  profession,  which  he  did  in  Chicago. 

Mr.  Wilson's  talents  must  have  been  thoroughly  appreciated,  for  when  later 
he  accepted  an  engagement  of  four  weeks  at  the  Theatre  Comique,  in  Detroit,  his 
success  was  so  pronoimced  that  he  remained  nine  months. 

Then  came  a  season  with  Fred  Wilson's  (his  brother)  Minstrels  in  St.  Louis; 
by  this  time  his  fame  had  reached  Jack  Haverly,  who  engaged  Mr.  Wilson  for 
his  company;  this  was  at  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  in  November,  1873;  he  remained 
under  the  Haverly  banner  until  August,  1877,  when  in  conjunction  with  Milt. 
Barlow,  George  H.  Primrose  and  William  H.  West,  the  big  company  bearing, 
their  names  gave  their  first  performance,  August  20,  same  year. 

Barlow,  Wilson,  Primrose  and  West's  was  one  of  the  greatest  minstrel  com- 
panies that  ever  performed;  the  dissolution  of  this  alliance  occurred  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1882. 

Thereafter  Mr.  Wilson  and  Milt.  Barlow  organized  Barlow,  Wilson  and 
Co.'s  Minstrels ;  subsequently  Barlow,  Wilson  and  Rankin's,  and  lastly  George 
Wilson's  Minstrels,  which  were  instituted  in  1888;  the  final  performance  of  the 
latter  was  at  Danbury,  Conn.,  February,  1892. 

Subsequently  Mr.  Wilson  played  under  the  management  of  Primrose  and 
West  for  a  period  of  about  five  years;  one  season,  1894,  he  appeared  in  white- 
face,  as  well  as  black,  in  the  musical  play  of  "Monte  Carlo." 

In  the  summer  of  1898,  Mr.  Wilson,  in  conjunction  with  W.  S.  Cleveland, 
organized  the  "Wilson-Cleveland  Minstrels ;  this  was  his  last  minstrel  venture ; 
since  then  he  has  played  vaudeville  exclusively,  until  the  Spring  of  1910,  when 
he  joined  George  Primrose's  Minstrels  for  a  few  weeks.  August  15,  same 
year,  he  played  his  first  engagement  in  his  native  city  at  The  Empire. 

Mr.  Wilson  may  justly  look  with  pride  on  his  long  career  as  a  black-face  star. 

George  Wilson  was  born  in  London,  England,  September  28,  1844. 

Hi  Henry  (Hiram  Patrick  Henry).  For  three  decades  Hi  Henry's  Min- 
strels have  been  an  institution  that  has  been  known  nearly  all  over  the  United 
States. 

Mr.  Henry  is  an  accomplished  cornettist,  and  before  he  entered  the  ranks 
of  minstrel  proprietors,  he  was  many  years  in  the  dramatic  business,  notably  as 
leader  of  the  band  with  the  Wallace  Sisters  combination  in  1872. 

On  May  4,  1875,  he  joined  Sam  Price's  Minstrels,  and  in  September,  1879, 
the  first  performance  of  Hi  Henry's  ^luT^trcls  was  given,  and  barring  the  season 
of  1889-90,  when  he  directed  a  tour  of  Estelle  Clayton's,  the  company  has  made 
an  annual  tour  ever  since. 

The  past  few  years  Mr.  Henry  has  not  been  actively  engaged  with  his  com- 
pany, owing  to  ill  health. 

Hi  Henry  was  born  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  August  22,  1844. 


WM.   E.— HINES  &  BLOSSOM— NAT. 
(Portraits  reversed) 


LEW.— SIMMONS  &  WHITE— FRANK  H. 


JNO.— QUEEN  &  WEST— WM. 
(Portraits   reversed) 


JAS.— TIEENEY   &   WAYNE— CHAS. 


174  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

William  FootEj  the  well-known  minstrel  manager,  began  and  ended  his 
career  in  that  branch  of  theatricals. 

In  1861  he  was  treasurer  with  M.  C.  Campbell's  Minstrels;  and  in  1864  was 
agent  for  Haverly  and  Mallory ;  this  being  one  of  Haverly's  earliest  minstrel 
ventures. 

Subsequently  he  was  associated  with  Sam  Sharpley,  La  Rue  and  many  of  the 
earlier  burnt  cork  troupes. 

In  conjunction  with  Mr.  Haverly,  on  January  i,  1876,  he  re-organized  the 
New  Orleans  Minstrels,  and  when  Haverly  amalgamated  the  famous  Mastodons 
in  1878,  Mr.  Foote  was  manager,  and  continued  in  that  capacity  for  several  years. 

William  Foote  was  born  in  Utica,  N.  Y.,  February  22,  1844;  he  died  in 
Albany,  N.  Y.,  March  2,  1899. 

J.  C.  Campbell  (George  Keller  St.  John),  better  known  as  "Pomp"  Camp- 
bell, from  the  fact  that  he  portrayed  the  character  of  "Pomp"  in  the  play  of  that 
name  in  1871,  was  a  printer  by  trade,  in  Dayton,  Ohio. 

He  was  an  excellent  comedian  and  equally  clever  as  a  tambourine  or  bone 
player.  His  first  important  engagement  was  with  the  Morris  Minstrels  in  the 
middle  6o's ;  subsequently  he  was  with  Kelly  and  Leon  in  New  York,  opening 
there  August  31,  1868;  also  with  John  Hooley  and  Hawxhurst's  Minstrels  in 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  in   1873. 

J.  C.  Campbell  was  born  in  Frederick,  Md. ;  he  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y., 
January  26,  1875;  age  31  years. 

Geo.  Frothingham,  the  famous  basso,  who  created  and  played  Friar  Tuck 
in  "Robin  Hood,"  more  than  3,000  times,  was  many  years  in  the  minstrel 
profession,  and  as  far  back  as  1869  was  with  Dougherty,  Wild,  Barney  and 
Mac's  Minstrels,  also  Sharpley's,  Billy  Morris'  and  Swayne  Buckley's  Min- 
strels. 

In  the  late  7o"s  and  early  8o"s  he  sat  in  the  middle  with  Carncross  and 
Dixey's  and  Carncross'  Minstrels,  res{)ectively,  in  Philadelphia. 

An  interesting  photo  of  Mr.  Frothingham  will  be  found  elsewhere  in  the 
book. 

George  Frothingham  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  April   12,   1844. 

Dick  Ralph.  This  good  old-timer  made  his  first  appearance  at  Burtis' 
Varieties,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  under  the  name  of  Master  Tommy,  in  i860,  doing 
a  jig  and  the  "Essence";  in  1861  he  was  with  Christy's  Minstrels  under  the 
name  of  Mast.  Dick  Reynolds;  a  year  later  he  was  "Mast. ;.Brigg"  with  Camp- 
bell's Minstrels,  in  New  York  City. 

In  1863  he  decided  that  his  own  name  was  good  enough,  and  as  such  he 
opened  at  Hooley's  Minstrels,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  Other  minstrel  companies  he 
was  identified  with  were — Cool  White's  Broadway  Minstrels ;  Hooley's,  New 
York  City  (201  Bowery);  Cotton  and  Sharpley's,  New  York  City;  return  to 
Hooley's,  Brooklyn,  i86q:  Kelly  and  Leon's,  New  York  City;  Sam  Sharpley's, 
and  Kelly  and  Leon's,  Chicago. 

Mr.  Ralph  was  a  popular  end  man,  being  equally  proficient  with  the  bones 
or  tambourine ;  but  it  was  as  a  dancer  that  he  excelled ;  his  "Essence"  and 
"George,  the  Charmer,"  are  well  remembered-'by  many;  he  was  likewise  a  versa- 
tile musician. 


FROM  -DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  175 

Mr.  Ralph  appeared  ^jme  years  ago  in  the  drama,  "(Jur  South."  with  suc- 
cess. 

Dick  Ralph  was  born  m  I'.rooklyn.  X.  Y.,  March  22,  1844 — but  not  on  Good 
Friday,  as  he  a\ers ;  that  day  fell  un  April  5.  that  year, 

I\Iel\'I.N"  S.  Kl'Rtz  was  a  comedian  and  song  and  ilance  performer;  his  first 
appearance  was  in  I'liiladelphia  about  1862, 

Me  was  the  husband  of  ]\Iarie  \'an  Zandt,  actress,  whom  he  married  about 
1874, 

Mr.  Kurtz's  last  appearance  was  (Jctober  15,  1881, 

He  was  l">rn  ui  Lancaster,  I'a.,  July  29,  1844;  he  died  in  Philadelphia, 
March  20,  1882. 

"RiCAkiid  '  I  Prilcy  McKeevcr)  well  and  favorably  l<nown  as  a  clever  female 
impersonator,  was  with  Mrs,  Matt.  Peel's  Minstrels  about  1863. 

Subsequently  he  appeared  with  the  Associated  .\rtists  of  Kellv  and  Leon 
in  i8')Q,  Parly  in  1870  he  j'lined  Billy  Emerson's  Minstrels,  and  on  April  10, 
1871.  made  hi>  debut  wuh  Manning's  ^Pnstrels  in  Chicago. 

Me  was  a  member  of  llaverly's  Minstrels  in  Xovemher,  1873,  after  the 
latter  with<lrew  from  Cal.  Wagner.  Later  he  was  associated  with  some  of  the 
[irincipal  mm>trel  organizations. 

"Ricardo"  was  born  m  Ireland,  about  1844;  he  died  in  Xew  York  City, 
(  )ctober  30,   1883. 

JdiiN  I'xswoRTii  i-^  the  only  living  representative  of  Anderson's  }iPnstrels, 
(Organized  in   r.ii--ton  late  in    1850. 

Mr.  Cnsworth  was  a.->ociated  with  his  brother,  James  L'nsworth.  and 
"Eugene  '  practically  their  entire  professional  careers. 

He  was  born  m  Liverpool,  England,  January  12,  1844 — and  is  not  sorry. 

JoiixxY  Ai.LEX  (George  Erb )  was  an  excellent  comedian  and  dancer,  and 
especially  well  remembered  for  his  "Xicodemus  Johnson,''  a  song  and  dance. 
His  first  appearance  in  black-face  was  in  1861.  October  23,  1865  he  joined 
Ilooley's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn.  X.  Y.  March  5.  1866  he  was  at  the  opening 
of  Seaver's  ]\Pnstrel  Hall,  ^ame  city,  and  (Jctober  i.  he  was  also  at  the  initial 
performance  of  Kelly  and  Leon's  Minstrels  in  Xew  York:  Emerson,  Allen  and 
Maiming's  ^ilinstrels  gave  their  first  performance  in  Brooklyn,  X.  Y.,  in  June. 
1868.  Mr.  .Allen  seceded  from  the  organization  3.1ay  22,  following,  and  a 
month  later  helped  to  organize  .\llen  and  Sam  Sharpley's  Minstrels. 

Brooklyn.  .\'.  Y.,  aPo  saw  the  first  performance  of  Allen.  Pettengill.  Dele- 
hanty  and  Hengler's  APnstrels.  September  22.  i8(iii:  a  few  months  later  it  was 
Johnny  .'\.llen's  Minstrels.  Mr.  Allen  next  branched  out  as  a  German  comedian 
in  the  play  of  "Schneider."  He  continued  alternately  with  this  and  minstrel 
engagements  until  the  early  80' s ;  the  first  performance  of  "Schneider"  was  on 
March,  24.  1871.  April  6.  1874,  he  opened  with  Hart  and  Ryman's  Minstrels 
and  a  few  weeks  later  Johnnv  Allen's  Cosmopolitan  ^Pnstrels  toured  briefiy. 
When  Dan.  Bryant  died.  April  10,  1875,  Mr.  Allen  sat  in  the  latter's  chair  m 
Xew  York,  and  when  May  3.  following,  Xeil  Bryant's  Minstrels  were  organized, 
Johnny  Allen  was  with  them.      September  18,   1876,  he  re-appeared  with  Kelly 


iji'j  M0X.4RCHS  OF  MIXSTRELSY, 

and  Leon's  ?ilinstrels  in  Xew  York.      Johnny  Allen  was  born  in  Newark.  X.  J., 
April  20.  1844;  he  died  there  January  16.  1S85. 

Charlev  Suttox  iLemani.  This  well-known  performer  of  the  past  was 
a  member  of  the  "Young  Campbell's  Minstrels."  a  famous  amateur  organization 
of  Boston,  about  iSoo. 

Mr.  Sutton  was  a  comedian  of  unquestionable  ability,  and  had  been  with 
most  of  the  prominent  minstrel  organizations  of  his  time,  notably  Emerson's 
I\Iin-trels  ui  San  hrancisco,  later  going  to  Australia  with  that  cranpany,  opening 
at  .Melbourne.  .Vugust  2.  1S73.  He  was  with  Charley  Aiorris'  }ilinstrels  in  1S77, 
and  afterwards  with  llo(.)le_\'s. 

He  sailed  fwr  Eurojie  .Vpril  24.  iSSo.  and  joined  .^iloore  and  Eurgess'  [Min- 
strels, in  Lonflon.  and  rc-mamed  there  for  SL>me  time.  .Vbout  1885  he  became 
one  of  the  team  of  Eunth  and  Rudd.  doing  a  grotesque  act  in  white-face:  he  was 
thereafter  known  as  Hugo   Uunth. 

Charles  Sutton  was  born  in  Eoston.  Mass..  in  1844;  he  died  in  ?\Iosco\v, 
Russia.  January  27.  iooj. 

EiLLv  \\'n.n.  the  r.ld-time  black-face  performer,  made  his  first  professional 
appearance  at  the  Eella  Union  Theatre.  San  Francisco,  about  1866.  doing  a  black- 
face -ong  and  dance.  In  1871  he  was  with  L'nsworth's  AEnstrels.  Eater  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  Charley  .\rmstrong :  they  played  an  engagement  with 
Simmons  and  Slocum's  Minstrels  about  1873.  in  Ehiladelphia. 

.Mr.  Willi's  last  black  face  appearance  was  at  the  Howard  .Athcnseum.  in 
Boston,  in  18S6.     i'.illy  Wild  was  born  in  Xew  York.  January  21.  1S44. 

Xeil  Rogers,  a  capable  and  clever  comedian,  and  a  brother  of  Stevie  Rogers, 
had  a  comparative! v  brief  career  as  a  minstrel. 

His  last  apiK-arance  was  at  Eastor's  Theatre  in  Xew  York.  He  was  born 
in  Elmira.  and  died  in  Xew  York.  February  28.  1873. 

Harry  Bloodgood  (Carlos  ^loran)  was  one  of  the  most  accomplished  and 
versatile  performers  that  ever  blacked  his  face:  good  in  everything  he  undertook; 
he  could  sing,  dance  and  act. 

He  made  his  first  Xew  York  appearance  at  the  American  Theatre,  and  re- 
mained there  one  year.  In  May.  1866.  he  joined  Eoyce  and  ]\Eidge's  ^Enstrels ; 
subsequently  appearing  with  Sam  Sharpley's.  and  later  with  Joseph  Trowbridge, 
he  had  the  Bloijdgood  and  Trowbridge's  AEnstrels :  their  season  ended  July  16. 
1871  :  Mr.  Bloodgood  then  taking  his  own  show,  with  which  he  traveled  inter- 
mittently for  several  seasons. 

El  i860  he  aEo  was  associated  with  Delehanty,  Hengler  and  Bloodgood's 
}iEnstrcls. 

yir.  I'.liiodgood  was  without  e.-vception  the  most  pronounced  favorite  that 
ever  played  the  old  Howard  .A.then3eum  in  Boston;  he  was  in  the  stock  there  at 
various  times,  covering  a  period  of  several  \'ears, 

-Vbout  1881  he  wrote  and  appeared  in  the  play.  "Hi.x's  Fi.x."  sharing' 
the  lead  with  W.  A.  !\Iestayer;  the  piece  was  afterwards  called  "Wanted.  .\ 
Fartner.  ' 

Mr.  Bloodgood  married  Helene  Smith,  the  danseuse.  about  1S64:  they  were 
divorced  in  the  spring  of  1867:  and  on  January  20.  1870.  in  Boston,  he  married 


FRANK  GEVER 


KDW.    S.WDS 


IKKU   DRWWT 
lot    Cryain    : 


CHARLEY   SEAMON 
(of   Seamon   &  Sommers) 


JOHN   BOWMAN 
or   Bowman  &  Harris) 


1 

i 

^ 

wi 

u 

.#• 

1 

i 

J 

EDDIE   EOGERT 
rof    Roeert   &   0'Eri.;r.  I 


JOHN   D.   GILBERT 
( oi    Courtright    &    Gilbert) 


ARTIE   IlCOlil-.S 
(oi  Fosicr  o:  Hughes) 

1     -•...■-■  -  \ 

'■.-.',„■  • 

JM 

■kir''" 

^^ 

W'^ 

MlkiB^^- 

H 

Wt^^^Mfy 

Tfi.M.MY    TURNER 

(of    Thr.-e    Turner    Hrother") 


Dir.LV  WILLIAMS 

(of    W 

illi.in!- 

.\    ^  '.1 1 1  :■■  1 

f 

ik 

t 

f 

FDW     KENNEDY 
(of    Chfevers    &    Kennedy) 


"ALL  ALONE";  THEY  PINE  FOR  THEIR  PARTNERS. 


ir«  MOX.-iRCHS  OF  MIXSTRELSV, 

Clara  Gettis,  also  a  dancer.  It  was  not  until  about  three  years  later  that  he 
found  connubial  blessedness,  when  he  married  Lisle  Riddell,  with  whom  he  lived 
most  happily  the  balance  of  his  life. 

^Ir.  Bloodgood  made  a  distinct  hit  playing  Uncle  Tom  at  the  Boston  Theatre, 
with  an  all-star  cast. 

Harry  Bloodgood  was  born  in  Savannah,  Georgia,  March  31,  1S45;  '"^ 
died  in  N.  Conway,  N.  H.,  June  12,  1886. 

Lucius  ^L  Phelps,  of  the  well-known  song  and  dance  team  of  Stiles  and 
Phelps,  also  Armstrong,  Stiles  and  I'helps,  had  been  out  of  the  profession  about 
tour  years  prior  to  his  death,  which  ticcurred  in  Springfield,  Mass.,  about 
August,  1876. 

He  had  been  with  L'nsworth's  ]\Iinstrels  in  1871  ;  }iIoran  and  Dixey's  in 
1872.  and  also  with  the  companies  of  Skiff  and  Gaylord,  Carncross  and  Dixey, 
and  Hooley's. 

Xed  Fox  was  a  brother  of  Jim  Fox.  of  Goss  and  Fox,  and  was  very  well 
known  during  his  comparatively  brief  career,  as  a  comedian  of  more  than  ordi- 
nary merit. 

After  his  death,  the  following  lines  by  Billy  Devere,  were  dedicated  to  his 
( Fox's j  widow: 

"Another  old-timer  gone  they  said. 

As  I  came  to  the  green-room  door  to-night ; 
Another  "old  pard"  has  passed  away 

To  that  beauteous  land  of  joy  and  light — 
Buoyeil  aloft  by  a  Saviour's  love. 

Searching  the  home  of  the  good  and  true 
As  Xoah  from  the  Ark  sent  the  carrier  dove 

Out  of  the  old  world  into  the  new." 

Xed  Fox  died  at  Hartford,  Conn.,  ]\Iarch  28,  1875  •  ^S^  about  30  years. 

\Y.  S.  !MuLL.\LLV  was  one  of  the  best  and  most  prominent  of  minstrel 
leaders. 

As  early  as  when  he  was  fifteen  years  of  age  he  was  leader  at  a  Boston 
theatre.  His  final  minstrel  engagement  was  about  1864  with  Hy.  Rumsey's 
Company. 

The  following  year  he  joined  the  San  Francisco  Minstrels  in  X'ew  York, 
and  continued  with  them  about  fifteen  years.  In  the  summer  of  i860  he  played 
in  Liverpool,  England,  with  Smith  and  Taylor's  ]\Iinstrels.  He  was  with 
Charley  Reed's  Minstrels  in  San  Francisco  in  1884. 

Subsequently  he  played  an  extended  engagement  with  Dockstader's  Min- 
strels in  Xew  York,  and  later  was  with  several  legitimate  and  farcical  attrac- 
tions. He  had  composed  considerable  dramatic  and  popular  music,  and  was 
the  author  of  "Mottoes  That  .Are  Framed  Upon  the  Wall." 

He  was  born  in  Manchester,  England,  in  1845  ;  he  died  in  Westboro,  Mass.. 
August  2,  1905. 

Harry  Percy  (John  H.  Peabody)  a  prominent  vocalist  of  many  import- 
ant minstrel  companies,  died  at  Jersey  City,  X.  J.,  January  2,  1880. 


FROM  -D.lDDy  RICE  TO  DATE.-  i79 

Charles  Goodyear  was  well-known  as  a  capable  and  clever  comedian. 

He  entered  the  profession  when  a  boy,  and  had  been  prominently  associ- 
ated with  such  well-known  minstrel  organizations  as  Haverly's,  Primrose  and 
West's,  and  Cleveland's.  He  was  al^o  co-proprietor  of  Goodyear,  Cook  and 
Dillon's,  and  Goodyear,  Schilling  and  Elitch's  Minstrels. 

He  was  especially  instrumental  in  the  planning  and  building  of  Elitch's 
Garden  in  Denver,  Colorado,  and  had  been  connected  with  it  since  its  opening. 

Charles  Goodyear  was  born  on  Staten  Island,  N.  Y.,  February  i8,  1845 : 
he  died  in  Denver,  Colorado,  May  13,  1897. 

Johnny  Shay,  who  excelled  in  the  delineation  of  negro  characters,  began 
his  professional  career  in  Louisville,  Ky. 

He  was  several  seasons  with  Harrigan  and  Hart  in  New  York,  where  he 
enjoyed  wide  popularity. 

He  was  born  in  Liverpool,  England,  in  1845  ;  he  died  in  New  York,  October 
20,  1879. 

Johnny  McVeigh  entered  the  variety  profession  about  1858;  he  was  a 
good  black-face  performer  and  dancer. 

He  was  born  in  Bambury,  England,  in  1845  ;  he  died  in  New  York,  January 
20,  1883. 

"Lotta"  (Lotta  Crabtree),  one  of  the  greatest  and  most  famous  soubrettes 
of  the  American  stage,  "blacked  up"  many  times  in  her  early  career.  In 
October,  1863,  she  was  a  member  of  a  minstrel  company  playing  Virginia  City, 
California,  at  Alaguire's  Theatre. 


Barry  Maxwell  says  that  when  he  was  with  Spalding  and  Manning's  Min- 
strels more  than  four  years  ago,  a  colored  boy  in  Columbia,  Tenn.,  came  up  and 
asked  for  the  boss ;  having  found  him,  he  inquired  if  he  wanted  anyone  to  "tote 
catalogues."      He  wanted  to  pass  bills. 


Willis  Paljier  Sweatnam,  long  known  to  his  familiars  as  "Billy,"  began 
his  theatrical  career  at  the  age  of  seven  years,  playing  comedy  parts  in  white- 
face  with  a  juvenile  company  called  the  Union  Children. 

His  first  black-face  appearance  was  at  the  Western  Museum  in  Cincinnati, 
four  years  later,  occupying  the  bone  end  in  a  minstrel  show. 

Mr.  Sweatnam  entered  minstrelsy  proper  at  the  age  of  fifteen,  when  he  was 
a  member  of  a  boat  show  plying  the  Little  Miami  Canal  in  Ohio;  the  boat  was 
the  "Huron,"  and  was  the  fastest  boat  of  that  name  that  traveled  the  canal.  Mr. 
Sweatnam  shortly  after  this  went  South,  and  became  lessee  of  the  Savannah 
Theatre,  where  minstrel  performances  were  given. 

Subsequently  he  became  a  member  of  Fred  Wilson's  Minstrels  in  St.  Louis, 
Newcomb's  Minstrels  in  Cincinnati,  Skiff  and  Gaylord's,  and  Morris  Brothers. 

Mr.  Sweatnam  was  the  principal  comedian  of  Simmons  and  Slocum's  Min- 
strels at  the  opening  of  that  famous  organization  in  Philadelphia.  September 
6,  1875,  he  was  taken  in  as  a  partner,  the  firm  name  being  Simmons,  Slocum 
and  Sweatnam's  Minstrels,  by  which  it  was  known  until  October  28,  1876,  after 
which  it  became  Sweatnam's  Minstrels,  and  later,  December  25,  1876,  Sweat- 
nam and   Eraser's   Minstrels.      Mr.    Sweatnam   played   several   engagements   in 


i8o  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

San  Francisco  with  Charley  Reed's,  Emerson's,  and  Maguire's  Minstrels ;  with 
Dockstader's,  and  Birch  and  Backus  in  New  York;  with  Haverly  in  Chicago, 
also  in  Europe ;  Moore  and  Burgess  in  London,  England,  and  Carncross  in 
Philadelphia. 

In  1887,  commencing  July  25,  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  Sweatnam.  Rice  and  Pagan's 
Minstrels  were  organized;  this  was  one  of  the  most  magnificent  companies  of  its 
kind  the  world  ever  saw. 

^Ir.  Sweatnam  subsequently  played  an  extended  engagement  with  Cleve- 
land's Minstrels,  and  shortly  afterwards  made  his  appearance  in  the  "City 
Directory,"  a  famous  farce  of  twenty  years  ago ;  he  was  with  this  company  three 
seasons;  several  more  under  the  management  of  Charles  E.  Blaney,  and  then 
with  the  "County  Chairman"  for  three  years. 

He  was  next  seen  in  "George  Washington,  Jr." ;  in  all  of  these  plays  Mr. 
Sweatnam's  art  shone  forth  resplendently. 

As  a  delineator  of  the  negro  character  he  is  alone  and  without  a  peer;  there 
is  but  one  Sweatnam,  nor  is  it  likely  we  will  ever  have  another.  During  the 
present  season  of  1910  he  played  a  black-face  part  with  the  "Summer  Widowers." 

Willis  P.  Sweatnam  was  born  in  Zanesville,  Ohio. 

Frank  Howard  fMartindale),  famed  as  one  of  minstrelsy's  greatest  tenors, 
and  who  was  with  McNish,  Johnson  and  Slavin's ;  Thatcher,  Primrose  and 
West's,  and  Barlow,  Wilson,  Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels  in  the  8o's;  is  said 
to  be  living  in  Chicago. 

Charles  Fostelle  (Stephens)  of  late  years  was  best  known  for  his  por- 
trayal of  eccentric  female  characters,  but  long  before — well,  just  read  on. 

His  first  appearance  was  made  in  Detroit,  Mich.,  in  dramatic  stock.  The 
year  following  he  made  his  first  appearance  in  black-face  with  Gal.  Wagner's 
Minstrels,  as  a  wench  dancer. 

Subsequent  minstrel  engagements  were  with  Billy  Arlington's ;  Dingess  and 
Green's;  Harry  Robinson's;  Simmons  and  Slocum's,  (Philadelphia);  (Wm. 
Henry)  Rice's,  in  Cincinnati;  Purdy  and  Vincent's;  Arlington,  Cotton  and 
Kemble's ;  Allen,  Delehanty  and  Hengler's,  and  his  own  company,  Purdy,  Scott 
and  Fostelle's  Minstrels,  opening  at  Denver,  Colorado,  March  4,  1872.  His 
last  minstrel  engagement  was  with  Sweatnam,  Rice  and  Pagan's  Minstrels,  sea- 
son of  1887-88. 

Since  then  Mr.  Fostelle  has  appeared  with  Corinne  for  ten  years ;  starred 
in  "Mrs.  Partington"  for  five  years,  and  for  a  season  was  located  in  New  York 
City  with  the  Weber  &  Field's  Company. 

Charles  Fostelle  was  born  in  New  York  City,  and  he's  there  now. 

John  S.  Stout  (Shafer)  is  one  of  the  best-known  singers  in  minstrelsy. 

He  first  appeared  with  Rumsey's  Minstrels  in  1864,  and  has  appeared  suc- 
cessfully, if  not  successively  with  such  well  known  companies  as  Skifif  and  Gay- 
lord's  ;  Buckley's ;  Simmons  and  Slocum's ;  Haverly's ;  Barlow,  Wilson,  Primrose 
and  West's ;  Sharpley's ;  Duprez  and  Benedict's ;  Cal.  Wagner's  and  many  others. 

His  last  minstrel  engagement  was  with  the  Barlow,  Wilson  Company, 

John  S.  Stout  was  born  in  Dayton,  Ohio,  July  4,  1845. 


JOE.  BUCKLEY 


BOB.  SHEPPARD 


JOHN  L.  CARNCROSS 


BOB.  ERASER 


JAMES  GLENN  EPH.   HORN 

A  PAGE  OF  PHILADELPHIANS. 


i82  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Robert  J.  Filkins,  at  one  time  one  of  Haverly's  most  valued  executives,  got 
his  early  schooling  with  John  Robinson's  circus,  with  which  organization  he 
became  identified  with  in  about  1867. 

In  1874  he  met  Col.  Haverly  in  New  Orleans,  and  at  once  joined  the  latter's 
forces,  and  continued  under  the  Haverly  banner  for  three  years. 

In  1879  he  was  in  charge  of  the  business  management  of  the  present  14th 
Street  Theatre,  New  York,  at  that  time  Haverly's  Theatre. 

Grace  Filkins,  the  present  well-known  actress,  was  his  wife. 

Robert  J.  Filkins  was  born  in  Michigan ;  he  died  in  Wichita,  Kansas,  April 
19,  1886;  age  about  40  years. 

Ike  Withers  was  one  of  the  early  ones  to  do  a  musical  act  in  a  minstrel 
show. 

His  first  professional  appearance  was  with  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New  York 
in  1862. 

Subsequent  minstrel  engagements  were  with  Wilson's  Minstrels  in  St.  Louis ; 
Kelly  and  Leon's ;  Nevvcomb  and  Arlington's ;  Skiff  and  Gaylord's ;  Sharpley's ; 
Simmons  and  Slocum's,  and  the  San  Francisco's,  in  New  York,  where  he 
remained  thirteen  years. 

Ike  Withers  was  born  in  Palmyra,  N.  Y.,  July  29,  1845;  he  is  now  a  guest  at 
the  Actors'  Home,  Staten  Island,  N.  Y. 

James  Sharpley  was  the  last  surviving  member  of  the  three  Sharpley's; 
Fred,  Charles  and  James ;  a  prominent  musical  act  of  the  70's. 

Mr.  Sharpley,  who  had  been  blind  some  time  previous  to  his  death,  was  an 
exceptionally  clever  performer  on  the  concertina. 

He  was  born  in  Liverpool,  England,  and  died  in  New  York  City,  May  12, 
1902 ;  age  57  years. 

William  H.  Crane,  one  of  America's  foremost  legitimate  comedians, 
appeared  in  black-face  with  an  amateur  organization  called  the  "Young  Camp- 
bell" Minstrels;  Mr.  Crane  fixes  the  date  in  the  fall  of  i860. 

The  little  band  were  offered  $2.50  a  piece  to  play  the  small  town  of  Stough- 
ton,  Mass.,  irrespective  of  the  fact  that  the  comedians  services  might  possibly 
be  rated  higher  than  one  of  the  musicians.  Nevertheless  the  juvenile  "corkers" 
accepted;  the  $30.00  went  into  the  coffers  of  the  most  popular  restaurant  to  be 
found  that  same  evening. 

William  H.  Crane  was  born  in  Leicester,  Mass.,  April  30,  1845. 

R.  G.  ("Boots")  Allen  was  an  excellent  banjoist  and  in  conjunction  with 
Fred.  Huber  in  1878-79,  played  the  principal  variety  houses. 

In  the  Spring  of  1880,  with  Harry  Woodson,  he  formed  Woodson  and 
Allen's  Minstrels,  which  continued  at  intermittent  periods  for  about  two  or 
three  years. 

In  December,  1881,  he  played  an  engagement  with  Emerson's  Minstrels  in 
San  Francisco,  and  in  the  summer  of  1886  Allen's  Banjo  Minstrels  inaugurated 
a  brief  season. 

R.  G.  Allen  died  May  21,  1892;  age  47  years. 

B.  C.  Hart,  who  has  so  long  and  ably  represented  the  New  York  Morn- 
ing  Telegraph,  and   who  is   personally   known   to   nearly  every  vaudevillian   in 


FROM  "DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  183 

the  country,  did  a  black-face  act  with  the  late  Billy  Barry  in  Memphis,  Tenn., 
in  1868;  that  was  the  first.  Since  then  and  as  late  as  1881,  Mr.  Hart  met  with 
flattering  success  in  his  portrayal  of  "Old  Black  Joe"  and  ia  the  sketch  of  the 
"Old  Servant's  Return." 

As  a  "bingler  on  the  bones,"  and  "thumber  of  the  tambourine,"  Mr.  Hart 
has  often  responded  to  "Gentlemen,  be  seated."  Now  for  a  secret.  B.  C.  Hart 
was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio.,  September  10,  1845.  Wouldn't  believe  it  would 
you? 

Sheridan  and  Mack  were  a  great  protean  character  sketch  team.  They 
never  had  their  superiors,  and  it  is  doubtful  if  their  equal  was  known  during 
their  partnership,  which  was  formed  in  the  middle  6o's,  doing  black-face  songs 
and  dances.  They  soon  left  off  burnt  cork  and  were  the  first  recognized  black- 
face team  to  do  so.  They  played  innumerable  minstrel  engagements,  and  were 
always  in  demand.  Mr.  Sheridan's  first  professional  appearance  was  April  12, 
1864.  After  separating  from  Mr.  Mack  he  played  minstrel  engagements,  doing  a 
single  specialty.  Later  he  went  to  Australia  where  he  met  with  phenomenal  suc- 
cess playing  a  female  Irish  part  in  "Fun  on  the  Bristol." 

John  F.  Sheridan  was  born  in  Providence,  R.  I. ;  he  died  in  Sydney,  Australia. 
December  25,  1908. 

James  H.  Mack  (McGrath)  was  born  in  Providence,  R.  I.;  he  was  the  hus- 
band of  Ada  Boshell,  the  well-known  actress. 

]\Ir.  Mack  died  in  New  York,  December  24,  1889;  age  41  years. 

E.  M.  Hall  was  one  of  minstrelsy's  greatest  ban  joists,  and  a  good  comedian. 
His  career  began  in  1865,  doing  a  song  and  dance  with  Sharpley's  Minstrels; 
subsequently  he  did  banjo  duets  with  Harry  Stanwood.  Later  he  was  identified 
with  such  well-known  minstrel  organizations  as  Emerson's,  in  San  Francisco ; 
Manning's,  in  Chicago ;  Carncross',  in  Philadelphia',  and  Moore  and  Burgess', 
in  London,  England,  in  1880.  In  the  latter  city  he  joined  Haverly's  Minstrels, 
with  whom  he  was  a  star  feature  for  several  seasons.  In  1875  he  was  associated 
with  E.  M.  Kayne  and  Ned.  Wambold  in  a  minstrel  venture  bearing  their  names. 
December  30,  1903,  Mr.  Hall  purchased  a  ticket  for  the  matinee  performance 
at  the  Iroquois  Theatre  in  Chicago ;  that  was  the  date  of  the  fearful  holocaust, 
and  he  has  never  been  seen  since. 

E.  M.  Hall  was  born  in  Chelsea,  Me.,  a'bout  1845. 

John  Lang,  a  well-known  and  popular  tenor  vocalist,  who  was  with  Arling- 
ton, Cotton  and  Kemble's  Minstrels  in  Chicago,  died  in  that  city,  December  5. 
1874. 

Hugh  Hamall  was  the  fourth  son  of  the  late  Arthur  Hamall,  and  a  singer 
of  more  than  ordinary  merit.  Previous  to  his  death  he  had  been  a  member  of 
Hamall's  Serenaders. 

Mr.  Hamall  died  in  Montreal,  Canada,  October  10,  1875. 

J.  C.  ("Toothless")  Murphy,  the  old-time  comedian  and  "Excelsion  Bone 
Player,"  was  with  Harry  Robinson's  Minstrels  in  1874,  and  other  prominent 
organizations  subsequently.  Mr.  Murphy  was  the  husband  of  Marie  De  Von, 
from  whom  he  separated  in  Chicago,  April  6,  1877.  Mr.  Murphy  is  still  active, 
and  a  resident  of  Nashville,  Tenn. 


i84  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Delehanty  and  Hengler — These  truly  wonderful  artists  were  the  great- 
est in  their  line  that  the  world  ever  knew,  or  ever  will  know,  in  all  probability. 

William  H.  Delehanty  made  his  first  appearance  in  his  native  city  at  the  old 
Green  Street  Theatre,  at  the  age  of  14;  he  did  a  bone  solo,  and  incidentally  it  ' 
may  be  remarked  that  in  their  manipulation  he  ranked  with  the  best  in  minstrelsy. 

About  1865  he  joined  Skiff  and  Gaylord's  Minstrels,  where  he  did  songs 
and  dances  with  John  H.  Ward,  under  the  team  name  of  Delehanty  and  Ward; 
they  continued  with  this  company  until  November  11,  1866,  when  Mr.  Delehanty 
severed  his  business  relations  with  Ward,  and  just  one  week  later,  joined  T.  M. 
Hengler  with  Dingess  and  Green's  Minstrels  at  Champaign,  111. ;  this  season 
closed  at  Penn  Yan,  N.  Y.,  January  7,  1867. 

Their  first  New  York  appearance  was  with  Kelly  and  Leon's  Minstrels. 
August  12,  1867. 

On  September  22,  1869,  (Johnny)  Allen,  Delehanty,  Hengler  and  Petten- 
gill's  (Charley)  Minstrels  gave  their  first  performance  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Previous  to  this,  and  for  several  years  subsequent,  they  had  their  own  va- 
riety companies ;  in  addition  to  playing  the  best  variety  theatres  in  the  land ;  like- 
wise were  they  identified  with  some  of  the  foremost  minstrel  organizations ;  they 
also  made  a  trip  to  Europe,  playing  England  and  Ireland. 

In  the  Summer  of  1875,  Delehanty  and  Hengler  separated  in  Pittsburg. 
Mr.  Delehanty  then  formed  a  partnership  with  James  Cummings,  and  as  Dele- 
hanty and  Cummings  they  made  their  first  appearance  at  the  Theatre  Comique, 
New  York,  August  23,  1875. 

December  4,  1876,  Delehanty  and  Hengler,  who  were  something  more  than 
business  associates,  again  formed  a  partnership,  reappearing  at  the  Howard 
Athenaeum  in  Boston  ;  the  alliance  was  broken  by  the  death  of  Delehanty. 

William  H.  Delehanty  was  more  than  a  good  dancer;  he  was  a  thorough 
musician,  and  a  man  of  intellect.  He  composed  most  of  the  songs  and  dances 
that  the  team  used,  notably  "Little  Bunch  of  Roses,"  "Apple  of  My  Eye,"  "I 
Hope  I  Don't  Intrude,"  "Strawberries  and  Cream"  and  many  others.  Delehanty 
and  Hengler  were  the  original  "Happy  Hottentots,"  though  this  act  was  exten- 
sively copied. 

T.  M.  Hengler  came  to  this  country  at  the  age  of  three  months,  and  at  the 
age  of  two  years  his  family  settled  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  where  ten  years  later  he 
made  his  first  public  appearance  at  the  Green  Street  Theatre ;  subsequently  he 
was  with  W.  W.  Newcomb's  Minstrels  for  three  seasons;  later  he  was  with 
Sharpley's  Minstrels. 

He  joined  W.  H.  Delehanty  in  1866,  and  continued  as  his  partner  until  1875, 
after  which  time  he  did  a  single  act,  and  was  known  as  "The  Merry  Minstrel." 

In  December,  1876,  he  rejoined  Delehanty,  and  continued  with  him  until  the 
latter's  death. 

When  Mr.  Delehanty  died,  Mr.  Hengler  seemed  to  lose  all  ambition  for  the 
stage;  he  mourned  his  old  friend  sincerely,  and  played  infrequently;  in  the  name 
only  was  he  the  "Merry  Minstrel." 

Tom  Hengler  was  likewise  the  author  of  several  songs,  notably  "Sweet 
Aleen"  and  "My  Pretty  Little  Kittie,"  also  the  musical  sketch  "Fun  in  the 
Kitchen." 

Mr.  Hengler  married  Miss  May  Fanning  in  1870;  they  had  two  daughters 
who  have  helped  to  perpetuate  their  father's  name  and  fame — Flo  and  May 
Hengler. 


n4w  YORK. 


MONDAY.  SEPIBMBER  13.  1839 


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PROGRAMME-PART    FIRST. 


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Jeny  BiTfont 


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BENEFIT 

On  FRIDAY,  FEB.  7tb,  1845. 

««.  l»»(|fRjl»illlHr«ODUCinHE  MONSTfR  OPHICUtPt. 

Filimi  MBIES  AJD  YpAHTAB  lAIDS. 

'.  '  IIUI  tun  l\IUIIIIIII.  M  iiWU  UlXfUUlU 

ALBION.    SCOTIA.    AND     MIBER^IA. 

MR.  1.  LiPMAN.  THE  KING  OF  VAULT Ens; 
_    mi:   cT.mTi'iittn    injimn 

The  CANAOI/VN  PALmSV.-Prcilidonl.," 

THE^^SONS    OF    iaZX.O. 
V  ■.fC:  HT  ]»F  APOM.M^ ! 

■fADAME    FRAiniTINA. 

MGLAP  &  AMERICA, 

THE    E-rmOrCAN    relV-STRCJLS. 

THE  CnlEK  AND  SARACEM  7 

iHt  iiniiP3Di»N.  imsTtTa,  aiv(«,  in  his  pimihr  ah, 
•iiCmTVhn  ami  m^  itKiiiill  It  ntiitU'i;.  -^  ; 

CYWINi?  STIC  aAOTBOr.S ! 


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HORSEMAN   OF  THE  WILDS. 

AMERICAH  iAMPSON.  JR.  MSf|FLD._ 


DRKS<  B'ilV.  Jv-t  i'l'KR  llll\.  lv.li..;-IMI. 


■^■■ 


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OLD    LnERPOOL,    ENG.,    BILL 


TWO  RARE  PROGRAMMES. 


i86  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

•William  H.  Delehanty  was  born  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  September  25,   1846; 
he  died  in  New  York  City,  May  13,  1880. 

T.  M.  Hengler  (Slattery)  was  born  in  the  town  of  Cashel,  Ireland,  in 
1844;  he  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y-.  August  21,  1888. 

Billy  Emerson  (Redmond)  was  a  unique  figure  in  minstrelsy,  for  he  stood 
absolutely  alone  in  his  chosen  profession;  never  before  his  advent  had  his  equal 
been  seen,  nor  will  we  ever  again. 

The  acme  of  versatility,  the  personification  of  grace,  the  quintessence  of 
greatness,  such  was  Billy  Emerson,  who  was  gifted  with  a  voice  that  an  opera 
singer  might  have  envied,  and  endowed  by  Nature  with  talents  that  are  but 
seldom  given  to  man. 

His  very  early  days  were  spent  in  Oswego,  N.  Y.,  but  soon  with  his  family 
moved  to  Washington,  D.  C,  where  he  made  his  first  professional  appearance 
with  Joe  Sweeney's  Minstrels  about  1858.  From  i860  to  1864  he  played  chiefly 
in  the  music  halls;  in  that  year  he  joined  Robert's  and  Wilson's  Minstrels;  also 
in  1864  he  was  with  Sanderson's  Minstrels. 

His  first  prominent  minstrel  engagement  was  with  Newcomb  and  Arlington 
in  1866.  December  3,  1866,  he  made  his  initial  New  York  appearance  at  Pastor's 
Theatre.  In  1867  he  joined  Nevvcomb's  Minstrels,  and  continued  with  them 
(barring  a  brief  interval  when  he  was  with  Spalding  and  Bidvvell)  until  the 
organization  of  his  own  company,  June,  1868,  when  Emerson,  Allen  and  Mann- 
ing's Minstrels  gave  their  initial  performance  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

May  22,  1869,  Johnny  Allen  withdrew,  and  the  company  continued  as  Emer- 
son and  IManning's  Minstrels  until  January,  1870,  when  the  two  partners  separ- 
ated. February  11,  1870,  the  first  performance  of  Emerson's  Minstrels  was 
given,  and  on  November  23,  same  year,  he  made  his  bow  under  the  astute  man- 
agement of  Tom  Maguire,  in  San  Francisco,  the  city  which  to  this  day  reveres 
the  memory  of  Billy  Emerson. 

Later  the  company  moved  to  the  Alhambra,  and  after  a  trip  East,  he  re- 
turned and  the  name  was  changed  to  Emerson's  Minstrels. 

May  12,  1873,  with  his  company,  he  sailed  for  Australia,  opening  at  Mel- 
bourne, August  2 ;  subsequently  Mr.  Emerson  made  two  other  trips  to  the  Anti- 
podes. 

On  January  14,  1878,  he  took  the  management  of  the  Olympic  Theatre,  New 
York,  installing  his  company ;  the  engagement  was  a  brief  one,  and  on  the  fol- 
lowing February  28,  in  conjunction  with  Smith,  Waldron,  Lester  and  Allen, 
"Emerson  and  the  Big  Four  Minstrels"  were  organized  and  traveled  for  several 
months. 

In  Chicago,  June  30,  1879,  with  R.  M.  Hooley,  the  famous  Megatherian 
Minstrels  gave  their  first  performance,  and  continued  for  a  season. 

Mr.  Emerson  was  a  member  of  Haverly's  Minstrels  when  they  opened  in 
London,  England,  July  31,  1880. 

San  Francisco  welcomed  its  idol  on  October  17,  1881,  when  Emerson's  Min- 
strels opened  at  the  Standard  Theatre,  and  remained  until  the  Spring  of  1884. 

Later  he  was  with  the  Haverly-Cleveland  Minstrels,  and  afterwards  the 
Cleveland  organization. 

April  2,  1888,  he  became  an  equal  partner  with  Frank  McNish  and  Carroll 
Johnson  with  McNish,  Johnson  and  Slavin's  Minstrels,  owing  to  the  indisposition 


FROM  -DADDY-  RICE  TO  DATE.  187 

of  Bob  Slavin,  who  was  not  appearing  with  the  company.  August  6,  1888,  he 
again  opened  in  San  Francisco  with  Emerson's  ^linstrels. 

In  the  Summer  of  1898  he  was  with  the  Wilson-Cleveland  Minstrels  a  few 
weeks,  and  then  played  an  engagement  with  William  H.  West's  ]\Iinstrels.  Emer- 
son's career  practically  ended  with  this  company. 

Let  us  think  of  him  only  for  his  neat  songs  and  dances,  of  which  he  was  one 
of  the  pioneers,  and  in  which  he  never  had  an  equal. 

Let  us  remember  him  for  his  "Big  Sunflower,"  written  by  another,  but 
popularized  by  Emerson ;  for  "Moriarity"  will  never  be  forgotten,  and  we  hope 
that  after  the  trials  and  vicissitudes  of  this  world,  he  has  "Backed  the  ^Vinner"' 
in  the  ne.xt. 

He  married  Miss  Maggie  Homer,  at  Covington,  Ky.,  June  25,  1869. 

Billy  Emerson  was  born  in  Belfast,  Ireland,  July  4,  1846;  he  died  in  Boston, 
Mass.,  February  22,  1902. 

E.  i\I.  Kavxe  (Kerr),  was  a  well  known  and  capable  interlocutor  and  bass 
singer. 

His  professional  career  began  about  forty  years  ago  when  he  appeared  under 
his  own  name.  April  10,  1875,  in  conjunction  with  E.  M.  Hall  and  Ned.  Wambold, 
he  organized  a  minstrel  company  which  had  a  brief  existence. 

Mr.  Kayne  was  one  of  Haverly's  original  Mastodons  in  1878,  and  continued 
with  Ilaverly  for  several  seasons. 

For  some  time  prior  to  his  death,' which  occurred  in  Chicago  a  few  years 
ago,  he  was  employed  in  that  city  in  a  mercantile  establishment. 

H.\RRy  Kernell,  one  of  the  greatest  Irish  comedians  the  variety  stage  ever 
knew,  was  an  end  man  with  Hyde  and  Behman's  Minstrels  in  1885  ;  and  for 
many  years  before  that.     He  died  in  New  York,  March,  1893. 

,  Ed.  Marble  came  from  an  old  theatrical  family  of  the  legitimate  stage. 

He  joined  Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels  in  1884  as  interlocutor, 
and  continued  with  them  several  seasons. 

He  subsequently  wrote  and  produced  "Tu.xedo"  for  George  Thatcher,  and 
it  was  a  pronounced  success.  Mr.  Marble  later  played  with  Mr.  Thatcher  in 
vaudeville.    His  daughter  is  Mary  Marble,  well  known  in  vaudeville  circles. 

Ed.  Marble  was  born  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  September  6,  1846;  he  died  in 
^rooklyn,  N.  Y.,  August  9,  1900. 

J.  Melville  Jansen  entered  the  profession  in  1874  at  Fall  River,  Mass., 
with  Gus  Bruno,  and  as  Johnson  and  Bruno,  they  continued  as  a  black-face  acro- 
batic song  and  dance  team  for  five  years ;  and  they  were  rated  with  the  best. 
They  played  the  principal  variety  houses  and  some  of  the  best  minstrel  companies, 
notably  Sweatnam's  in  1878. 

Mr.  Jansen  separated  from  Mr.  Bruno  about  1879,  and  afterwards  worked 
alone,  and  did  a  stump  speech ;  he  then  took  his  own  name,  so  as  not  to  conflict 
with  Carroll  Johnson,  who  was  at  that  time  also  known  as  James  Johnson. 

About  1882  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Sam  Swain,  doing  a  black-face 
act,  and  a  few  months  later  he  made  his  appearance  at  Carncross'  Minstrels  in 
Philadelphia ;  he  remained  seven  years,  after  which  he  joined  Primrose  and 
West's  Company,  and  continued  with  them  for  a  considerable  period. 


i88  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTkELSY, 

Mr.  Jansen  was  a  fine  end  man,  and  very  clever  in  his  imitations  of  a  monkey. 
J.  Melville  Jansen  was  born  in  Quebec,  Can.,  he  died  at  Downingtown, 
Pa.,  November  23,  1896;  age  about  50  years. 


The  season  of  1882-83  there  were  thirty-two  minstrel  companies  on  the  road. 


Ben  Brown  was  one  of  the  great  jig  dancers  of  his  day,  when  dancers  were 
plentiful  and  efficient. 

Very  early  he  saw  his  name  on  the  billboards,  he  said;  and  in  1865 
he  won  a  diamond  studded  cross  containing  eleven  stones ;  the  contest  was  at 
Bryan's  Hall,  Chicago ;  among  the  competitors  were  "English"  Tommy  Peel, 
Johnny  Boyd  and  Alex  Ross ;  all  passed  away. 

But  I'm  'way  ahead  of  my  story.  His  first  regular  appearance  was  with  Billy 
Wray  at  Beller's  Music  Hall,  Detroit,  Mich.,  playing  "Young  Scamp."  He  was 
with  the  Mrs.  Matt.  Peel's  Minstrels  in  1861.  Leaving  them  he  joined  Booker 
and  Evart's  Minstrels  at  Jackson,  Mich.,  taking  the  place  of  the  famed  Dick 
Sliter,  who  had  just  died;  this  was  May  21,  1861. 

Subsequently  he  joined  the  DeHaven  and  Hutchins  Show,  touring  Europe; 
other  circus  engagements  were  the  John  Robinson  Company  and  Mike  Lipman  s. 

In  1870  he  joined  Cal.  Wagner's  Minstrels  at  Syracuse,  under  "Jack"  Hav- 
erly's  management ;  three  years  later  Haverly  started  his  own  organization ;  but 
Mr.  Brown  remained  faithful  to  his  first  love;  and  subsequently  he  toured  with  his 
own  organization. 

One  of  Mr.  Brown's  feats  in  his  earlier  days  was  to  do  a  jig  with  a  glass 
full  of  water  on  his  head,  without  disturbing  the  water — or  his  head;  later  on  he 
danced  with  a  plough  on  the  same  place  where  the  glass  was  wont  to  rest. 

In  1878  he  married,  and  a  couple  of  years  later  he  settled  down  in  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  where  he  resided  until  his  death. 

Ben  Brown  was  born  in  Chicago,  March  17,  1846;  he  died  in  St.  Louis,  Mo., 
June  10,  1910. 

Neil  Burgess,  who  won  fame  and  fortune  as  Aunt  Abigail  in  the  "County 
Fair,"  was  a  black-face  performer  for  several  years. 

In  1875  he  made  a  brief  tour  with  Neil  Burgess'  Minstrels ;  they  closed  at 
Brockville,  Canada,  June  14,  that  year. 

Neil.  Burgess  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  June  29,  1846;  he  died  in  New 
York,  February  19,  19 10. 

John  Prenderg.\st  was  a  clever  song  and  dance  performer,  and  the  first 
partner  of  John  Hogan,  with  whom  he  played  a  season's  engagement  at  Bryant's 
Minstrels  in  New  York  City. 

He  joined  Hogan  in  1865.  He  died  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  August  ic  1869;  age 
23  years. 

GEO.   THATCHER 

has  just  rounded  out  forty-seven  years  of  active  theatrical  life;  for  it  was  in 
September,  1863,  that  he  made  his  first  stage  appearance,  doing  a  jig  (wonder 
if  he  can  do  it  now?),  and  appearing  in  black-face;  this  was  in  Baltimore.  Sub- 
sequently he  came  near  being  a  Dutch  comedian. 


H 
2 


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ii 


2> 


igo  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

K  year  later  Mr.  Thatcher's  hopes  of  being  a  great  song  and  dance  performer 
received  a  severe  jolt;  Billy  Emerson  was  the  unconscious  cause.  Realizing  that 
Emerson  excelled  him  so  far;  Mr.  Thatcher  in  his  next  engagement  told  gags 
between  songs  that  he  sang,  and  claims  that  then  and  there  he  originated  the 
monologue. 

Mr.  Thatcher  says  his  first  important  engagement  was  at  Tony  Pastor's  in 
New  York  in  1873.  On  November  10,  that  year,  he  made  his  first  appearance 
with  Simmons  and  Slocum's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  continuing  with  that 
organization  and  that  of  Simmons,  Slocum  and  Sweatnam  about  four  years. 

August  20,  1877,  he  made  his  initial  appearance  with  Haverly's  Minstrels  in 
Philadelphia;  in  the  Spring  of  the  following  year  he  played  a  brief  engagement 
with  the  same  company. 

Mr.  Thatcher  joined  the  San  Francisco  Minstrels  in  New  York,  December 
10,  1877;  his  last  appearance  there  was  December  11,  1880.  Nine  days  later  he 
opened  in  Philadelphia  at  the  Arch  Street  Opera  House  with  Thatcher  and 
Ryman's  Minstrels,  and  continued  under  that  trade-mark  until  the  Spring  of  1881. 
Season  of  1881-1882  saw  George  Thatcher's  Minstrels  at  the  same  house.  At 
Elmira,  N.  Y.,  August  3,  1882,  the  first  performance  of  Thatcher,  Primrose  and 
West's  Minstrels  was  given;  the  organization  disbanded  in  the  Spring  of  1889. 
The  following  season  he  was  a  feature  with  the  Howard  Athenaeum  Company, 
doing  his  famous  monologue. 

In  1890  Thatcher's  Minstrels  took  the  road ;  the  three  succeeding  seasons 
he  produced  "Tuxedo,"  "Africa"  and  "About  Gotham"  respectively. 

Then  for  two  years  with  Carroll  Johnson  he  headed  Thatcher  and  Johnson's 
Minstrels,  terminating  in  the  Spring  of  1897. 

Mr.  Thatcher  has  since  been  in  vaudeville  singly,  also  at  various  periods 
with  Ed.  Marble,  Charley  Ernest,  Banks  Winter,  Mrs.  Zenaide  Thatcher  and 
Will  Phillips. 

Also  did  he  play  an  engagement  with  Moore  and  Burgess'  Minstrels  in  Lon- 
don, England,  about  twenty-five  years  ago ;  his  success  there  was  nothing  short  of 
phenomenal. 

Mr.  Thatcher  is  a  natural  wit,  always  original,  and  an  actor  as  well  as  a  per- 
former, as  evinced  by  his  clever  interpretations  of  black-face  characters  in  "The 
County  Chairman"  and  "Cameo  Kirby." 

In  1908  he  was  with  Cohan  and  Harris'  Minstrels,  and  in  1909  the  feature 
of  Eddie  Leonard's  Minstrels. 

George  Thatcher  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  July  15,  1846. 

JoHX  P.  HoGAN.  besides  being  a  great  dancer  himself,  has  the  ability  to  im- 
part his  skill  to  others. 

Mr.  Hogan  began  his  professional  career  doing  a  song  and  dance  with  Stan- 
ley and  Mason's  Minstrels  in  1862. 

In  1865  he  joined  Raynor  and  Christy's  Minstrels,  with  Johnny  Pren- 
dergast  doing  a  neat  song  and  dance,  which  by  the  wa}^  they  were  probably 
the  first  team  to  do  such  an  act.  That  same  year  they  joined  Bryant's  Min- 
strels in  New  York,  and  the  following  season  he  formed  a  partnership  with 
Ruey  Hughes  at  Bryant's  Minstrels.  In  1867  they  were  with  Grififin  and 
Christy's  Minstrels,  located  in  New  York. 

Their  next  minstrel  engagement  was  with  Bryant's  in  1868,  also  in  the 
metropolis. 


FROM  "DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  191 

In  1869  the  pair  joined  Buckley's  Serenaders,  and  the  following  year 
they  were  with  Billy  IManning's  Minstrels,  located  in  Chicago,  where  in  the 
Spring  of  1871,  Hogan  and  Hughes  severed  their  business  relations,  owing 
to  the  illness  of  the  latter. 

In  May,  1871,  Mr.  Hogan  joined  the  Hooley  Minstrels  in  Chicago  for 
a  supplemental  traveling  season;  with  this  company  he  did  a  specialty  with 
J.  K.  Campbell. 

Subsequently  with  Jimmy  Cummings,  he  played  an  engagement  at 
Moran  and  Di.xey's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  closing  there  about  February 
I,  1872,  after  which  in  a  variety  theatre  in  the  same  city  he  did  "Let  Me  Be" 
with  Harry  Kernell,  who  afterward  gained  fame  as  an  Irish  comedian. 

Hogan  and  Mudge's  Minstrels  toured  in  1872,  likewise  Hogan  and  Ella 
Chapman  played  in  the  principal  variety  houses. 

In  1874  Mr.  Hogan  returned  to  Bryant's  Minstrels,  and  continued  there 
until  the  death  of  Dan  Bryant,  April  10,  1875.  ^  f^'^^'  months  later  he  joined 
hands  with  Charley  Lord,  and  as  Hogan  and  Lord  played  an  engagement 
with  Kelly  and  Leon's  Minstrels. 

John  Hogan  was  born  in  Montreal,  Canada,  March  14,  1847. 

Arthur  Moreland.  Instances  of  black-face  performers  going  from  the 
minstrel  to  the  dramatic  stage  are  of  very  frequent  occurrence,  but  when  a 
legitimate  performer  goes  into  minstrelsy,  we  are  inclined  to  rub  our  eyes, 
sit  up  and  take  notice. 

Such  was  the  case  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  whose  professional  debut 
was  made  in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  at  the  Griswold  Opera  House,  April  14,  1865,  in 
the  "Lady  of  Lyons";  this  was  not  an  animal  show,  as  unthinking  persons 
might  surmise. 

Mr.  Moreland  next  went  to  London,  England,  where  for  five  months, 
commencing  in  1865,  he  played  a  stock  engagement  at  the  Sadler's  Wells  Thea- 
tre. Returning  to  the  United  States  extended  engagements  followed  at  St. 
Louis,  New  Orleans,  Louisville,  Cincinnati  and  New  York  City.  In  1872  he 
assumed  the  management  of  Johnny  Thompson,  in  "On  Hand." 

Mr.  Moreland's  next  move  was  to  the  Olympic  Theatre,  in  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y.,  1873 ;  it  was  here  that  ]\Ir.  Moreland  first  became  a  "corker,"  though 
he  had  been  a  corking  good  fellow  fully  a  quarter  of  a  century  prior  to  that 
date — and  ever  since. 

His  first  minstrel  engagement  was  with  Hooley  in  1876;  the  following 
year  he  was  with  Maguire's  Company  in  San  Francisco,  and  later  with 
Emerson's  Minstrels,  same  cit)'.  In  1880  Mr.  Moreland  became  a  member  of 
the  San  Francisco  Minstrels  in  New  York  City,  where  he  remained  four 
years. 

In  1884-85  he  did  "nigger  acts"  with  Dan  Collyer ;  the  following  season 
he  was  a  member  of  Harrigan's  Company  in  New  York  City.  Mr.  Moreland 
was  one  of  the  members  of  Lew  Dockstader's  permanent  minstrel  company 
in  New  York,  commencing  September  17,  1886,  and  continuing  with  them 
during  the  existence  as  an  organization,  terminating  in  1889. 

As  Col.  Risener,  in  "Blue  Jeans,"  appearing  in  white-face,  season  of 
1891-92,  Mr.  Moreland  once  more  showed  his  versatility. 

Mr.  Moreland  has  long  been  recognized  as  the  premier  interlocutor  in 


192  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

minstrelsy,  and  the  legitimate  successor  of  Wm.  H.  Bernard,  who  retired  in 
1872. 

Arthur  ]\Ioreland  was  born  in  New  York  City,  November  12,  1847. 

George  W.  Powers  ran  away  from  home  in  1861 ;  there  was  really  no  neces- 
sity for  this,  as  the  home  was  securely  fastened.  However,  that's  not  the 
argument.  He  boarded  the  steamboat  "Charley  Bowers,"  did  George  Pow- 
ers, and  for  several  hours  continued  as  a  passenger,  finally  landing  at  Cairo, 
111.,  where  he  immediately  sought  out  the  manager,  and  was  at  once  engaged 
to  do  a  jig,  in  black-face;  subsequently  he  was  apprenticed  to  old  Frank 
Howard,  with  whom  he  did  "nigger  acts"  in  the  variety  houses  of  St.  Louis, 
Milwaukee,  Chicago,  Louisville  and  Memphis;  at  the  latter  place  he  ap- 
peared in  Morningstar's  Varieties ;  it  is  now  1863,  and  all  is  well. 

Mr.  Powers  next  joined  Castello's  Circus,  and  late  in  1863  made  his  first 
appearance  in  minstrelsy ;  the  honor  belongs  to  the  Weed  and  Morris  Com- 
pany. 

The  following  year  he  was  with  LaRue's  Minstrels ;  the  next  burnt-cork 
aggregation  to  claim  him  was  the  Morris  Bros,  in  Boston. 

.September  5,  1870,  with  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  Johnson  and 
Powers  made  their  first  appearance  as  a  team,  doing  acrobatic  songs  and 
dances  and  high  kicking — this  man  Johnson  was  Carroll  Johnson,  the  present 
Beau  Brummell  of  minstrelsy,  but  at  that  time  known  as  James  Johnson ;  for 
thirteen  years  did  this  duo  do  dances  and  other  doings. 

January  2,  1871,  they  opened  with  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  Chicago,  at  the 
first  performance  of  that  company  in  the  Big  Lake  City. 

In  the  Summer  of  1872  Mr.  Powers  and  his  partner  joined  the  famous 
San  Francisco  Minstrels  in  New  York,  and  continued  with  them  until  1882, 
barring  the  season  of  1874-75,  which  vi^as  spent  in  Philadelphia  with  Carn- 
cross  and  Dixey's  Minstrels.  In  the  Fall  of  1882  they  became  members 
of  Courtright  and  Hawkins'  Minstrels,  also  in  Philadelphia,  and  the  follow- 
ing January  went  to  San  Francisco,  where  they  opened  with  Billy  Emerson's 
Minstrels  on  the  22d ;  they  remained  about  three  months  and  then  joined 
Haverly's  Minstrels,  and  in  June,  1883,  the  long  partnership  of  Johnson  and 
Powers  was  dissolved. 

Mr.  Powers  subsequently  gave  most  of  his  attention  to  the  banjo,  on 
which  instrument  in  the  execution  of  which  he  has  no  rival  in  minstrelsy ; 
his  rendition  of  "Home,  Sweet  Home,"  with  variations,  is  alone  worth  going 
miles  to  hear. 

From  1885  to  1893  Mr.  Powers  appeared  successfully  with  McNish, 
Johnson  and  Slavin's ;  Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West's ;  Lew  Dockstader's, 
and  Thatcher  and  Johnson's  Minstrels. 

Early  in  1910  he  married  the  widow  of  the  late  John  \Y.  Thompson,  of 
Dallas,  Texas. 

George  W.  Powers  was  born  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  April  3,  1847. 

Luke  Schoolcraft  was  naturally  a  great  performer ;  born  in  the  South 
amic^st  environments  that  gave  him  opportunities  for  noticing  the  peculiari- 
ties and  idiosyncrasies  of  the  negro  character,  he  imbibed  them  without  being 
aware  of  so  doing. 

At  the  age  of  five  he  made  his  first  appearance,  playing  child  parts ;  two 


)K.\M<    lIciW   \UI) 


M.\NlT:r.    R0.\[A1.\' 


GEO.    GALE 


KICU  AkD    T      TOSE  FRAXK   MORRELL 

SIX  SINGERS. 


194  MOXARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

years  later  he  "blacked  up"  for  the  first  time,  in  the  play  of  "Masked  Faces." 

Late  in  the  Go's  at  Alemphis,  Tenn..  a  butcher  with  the  unminstrel  name 
of  W'iets,  tiring  of  dispensin;^  steaks,  chops  and  sundry  animal  flesh  to  a 
ra\-enous  clientele,  and  with  \isions  of  perhaps  becoming  a  future  burnt  cork 
impressario.  he  organized  the  (.'.reat  Western  Opera  Bouffe  Company ;  a 
painfully  short  time  later  it  disorganized  itself. 

It  is  an  odd  fact  that  this  gifted  performer,  whom  nature  endowed  with 
the  ability  to  portray  -o  faithfully  the  .^uuthern  "darky,"  aspired  to  be  a 
Dutch  comedian  :  indeed,  he  ajipeared  as  such  intermittently  for  several  }-ears 
in  the  wiriety  houses. 

July  29,  1S72.  at  Cincinnati,  he  made  his  first  appearance  with  Xew- 
comb's  Minstrels,  silting  i^n  the  md  and  doing  an  act  in  the  olio  with  Andy 
McKee  and  E.  ?\I.  Hall:  a  few  weeks  later  he  began  a  brief  engagement  with 
Simmons  and  Slocum's  Minstrels  in  T'liiladelphia,  commencing  .\ugust   18. 

Mr.  Schoolcraft  formed  a  partnership  with  Ceorge  II.  Coes,  in  1874.  and 
•  iU  August  31  they  opened  with  Kelly  and  Leon's  Minstrels  in  Chicago. 
They  played  various  minstrel  and  \ariety  engagements  until  April  2,  1S77, 
when  Schoolcraft  and  Coes'  Minstrels  gave  their  first  performance  :  the  tour 
was  of-short  duration.  Januar}-  14.  1S78,  the  team  joined  Emerson's  Min- 
strels at  the  Olympic  Theatre  in  New  V(jrk,  and  in  the  Suinmer  of  the  fol- 
lowing }-ear  they  opened  with  Ilooley  and  Emerson's  Megatherian   .Minstrels. 

Season  of  1881-82  they  were  with  Carlow,  Wilson,  Primrose  and  West's 
Company:  a  year  later  they  joined  the  liarlow,  Wilson  &  Co.'s  Minstrels,  and 
on  September  3.  188,^,  they  opened  with  the  San  Francisco  Minstrels  in 
Xew  York   City. 

Sciioolcraft  and  Coes  dissoh'ed  partnership  in  1889,  and  in  the  .spring 
■"if  that  year  Mr.  Schoolcraft  jr]ined  Dockstader's  permanent  minstrel  com- 
pany in  Xew  York  City  :  this  was  his  last  minstrel  engagement. 

Ab,out  a  year  later  he  became  a  member  of  the  famous  "City  Directory" 
C'lmpany,  under  the  management  of  John  Russell,  and  continued  with  that 
organization  until  the  time  of  his  death. 

Beyond  all  dispute  Luke  Schoolcraft  ranked  high  with  the  great  black- 
face performers  of  the  land  ;  he  is  one  of  the  immortals  of  minstrelsy.  While 
he  was  great  in  everything  he  ever  did.  his  "Mrs.  Dittimus'  Party"  was  a  gem 
of  purest  ray  serene. 

Luke  Schoolcraft  was  born  in  X'ew  Orleans,  La.,  November  14,  1847;  '^^ 
died  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  ]\Iarch  10,  1893. 

r.onnv  Xr.wcoMr.  (Robert  Hughes)  stood  alone  in  his  particular  line  in 
minstrelsy,  inasmuch  as  he  wrote  all  the  songs  and  dances  he  e.xecuted  so 
admirably,  as  well  as  producing  for  manv  other  performers,  notably  the  "Big 
Sunflower"  for  Billy  Emerson,  which  did  so  much  to  establish  the  popularity 
of  that  great  artist. 

The  earliest  record  nf  Xewcomb'';  professional  appearance  was  at  Quebec. 
Canada,  where  on  3ilay  3.  183'').  he  appeared  as  Master  Hughes  with  Per- 
ham's  Great  Ethiopian  ?\linstrel  Opera  and  Burlesque  Troupe. 

The  loUowing  year  he  \\-as  with  Bucklev's  Serenaders  in  X'ew  York  :  it 
"•as  here  that  he  attracted  the  attention  of  A\'.  A\'.  X'cwcomb.  who.  with 
H^'.  Rumsev  was  about  to  organize  Rumsev  and  Xewcomb's  [Minstrels: 
and  Bobby  Xewcomb  became  a  member,  and  continued  with  them  for  about 


FROM  "DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  195 

five  years ;  between  seasons  accepting  other  engagements  with  Geo.  Christy's 
(Hooley)  Minstrels,  in  June,  1859,  and  a  year  later  with  Minor's  Ethiopian 
Minstrels.  Early  in  1861  he  went  to  England  with  Rumsey  and  Xewcomb, 
subsequently  to  Germany  and  back  to  England,  where  the  company  dis- 
banded. 

Mr.  Newcomb  joined  Wood's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  March  9,  1863,  as 
"Little  Bobby,"  the  ladies'  pet.  In  i860  he  was  billed  as  Master  Robert 
Langlois. 

In  the  Fall  of  1863  he  joined  Christy's  Minstrels  in  New  York;  in  1865 
he  was  with  Raynor's  "Christy's." 

December  g,  1869,  he  made  his  re-appearance  with  the  San  Francisco 
Minstrels  in  New  York  ;  the  following  year  he  was  a  member  of  Carncross 
and  Dixey's  Minstrels  in  Philadclidiia.  It  was  with  the  latter  company  he 
first  appeared  as  an  end  man,  in  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  May  15,  1871. 

August  28,  1871,  he  rejoined  the  San  Francisco  Minstrels  in  New  York 
for  the  season ;  subseciuently  he  was  with  Arlington,  Cotton  and  Kemble's 
Minstrels  in  Chicago  for  a  lengthy  engagement. 

He  joined  Maguire's  Minstrels  in  San  Francisco,  April  18,  1874;  the  fol- 
lowing year  he  returned  to  Carncross  and  Dixey. 

Mr.  Newcomb  played  Topsy  in  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin"  in  1876. 

In  1877  he  was  with  Haverly,  and  in  1881  played  an  engagement  with 
Moore  and  Burgess'  Minstrels  in  London,  England. 

In  1883  he  was  again  with  Haverly.  About  1885,  with  his  wife  and  three 
talented  daughters,  he  organized  the  Newcomb  Family,  and  as  such  he 
traveled  until  his  death.  • 

In  New  York,  September  28,  1867,  he  married  Miss  Mary  Blake,  a 
famous  danseuse  of  that  time.  Blanche  Newcomb,  in  private  life,  Mrs.  John 
Cain,  a  clever  soubrette,  is  his  daughter. 

Bobby  Newcomb  was  born  November  13,  1847;  he  died  at  Tacoma, 
Wash.,  June  i,  1888. 

Eddie  Fox  is  known  wherever  minstrelsy  is  spoken. 

Mr.  Fox's  career  began  at  the  tender  age  of  five  years,  and  continued  up 
until  about  1897,  when  he  "laid  down  the  fiddle  and  the  bow" — not  because 
"there  was  no  more  work  for  poor  Uncle  Ned" — no,  indeedy — for  Mr.  Fox  re- 
fuses to  grow  old,  and  he  could  have  work  aplenty  if  he  so  desired. 

Newcomb  and  Arlington's  Minstrels  engaged  him  about  1867 ;  subse- 
qtiently  he  was  with  Newcomb's  Minstrels. 

When  Simmons  and  Slocum  opened  their  minstrel  house  in  Philadelphia 
in  1870,  Eddie  Fox  was  leader,  and  remained  there  several  seasons.  Like- 
wise was  he  identified  with  Barlow,  Wilson,  Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels 
at  their  inception  in  1877,  and  continued  with  them  during  their  existence  as 
an  organization,  terminating  in  June,  1882. 

Other  promient  minstrel  engagements  were  Barlow,  Wilson  Company, 
George  \\'ilson's,  Cleveland's,  and  his  last — AI.  G.  Field's. 

Mr.  Fox  composed  some  of  the  most  popular  music  in  minstrelsy,  no- 
tably the  "Big  Sunflower,"  immortalized  by  Billy  Emerson ;  "Kaiser.  Don't 
You  Want  to  Buy  a  Dog?"  for  Gus  Williams;  "Noreen  Moreen,"  "Goodbye, 
Liza  Jane."  "Carry  the  News  to  Mary"  and  scores  of  others. 

As  a  jig  and  reel  player  he  is  without  a  peer. 


DAVE   MONTGOMERY        FRED  STONE  PERCY  G.   WILLIAMS    HITCHCOCK  ■^°^-  HAWTHORN 


CORSE  PAYTON  FRED.    BAILEY  RALPH  AUSTIN       CHAUNCEY  OLCOTT  RICHARD  CARLE 


BILLY  JEROME       JAS.   J.   CORBETT   MACLYN  ARBUCKLEJOHN  L.  SULLIVANBILLY  S.  CLIFFORD 


NAT.  GOODWIN  JERRY  COHAN         DE  WOLF   HOPPER    GEO.    M.    COHAN    .        NAT.    WILLS 


JOHN    C.    RICE       BARNEY   GILMORE  EDDIE  FOY  BERT.    LESLIE  SAM    BERNARD 

THE  "FAMOUS  50" ;  THEY  ALL  "BLACKED  UP," 


WM.   HARRIS  CHAS.    FROHMAN     DAN.    FROHMAN    JOHN   E.    KELLERD   HENRY  E.  DIXEY 


OTIS   SKINNER  BILLY  B.  VAN       WILTON   LACKAYE   WILLIE  COLLIER        WM.   H.   CRANE 


"HAP."    WARD  HARRY   YOKES         ANDREW  MACK      FRANCIS    WILSON      HARRY  BULGER 


JAS.  T.  POWERS  GEO.    BEBAN  JEFF    D'ANGELIS  DENMAN  THOMPSON   DAVID   BELASCO 


JOE.    WEBER  LEW.    FIELDS        CHAS.    K.    HARRIS     CHAS.    HORWITZ    FRED    V.    BOWERS 

OR  WERE  ASSOCIATED  WITH  MINSTRELSY. 


198  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Mr.  Fox  likewise  enjoys  the  distinction  of  having  been  alwa3'S  the  high- 
est salaried  "leader"  in  minstrelsy. 

Eddie  Fox  was  born  in  Glens  Falls,  N.  Y.,  October  28,  1848 ;  a  letter  ad- 
dressed care  of  any  minstrel  show  playing  Philadelphia  will  always  reach 
him. 

Thomas  B.  Dixon.  The  name  of  Tom  Dixon  will  go  down  in  the  annals 
of  minstrelsy  for  his  magnificent  rendition  of  the  old  ballad  "Sally  in  Our 
Alley." 

Mr.  Dixon  joined  Lew  Benedict's  Minstrels  in  July,  1872,  and  again  at 
Newark,  N.  J.,  September  21,  1876.  In  1878  he  was  with  Simmons  and  Slo- 
cum's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  and  that  same  year  became  a  member  of 
the  original  Haverly's  Mastodons  in  Chicago,  opening  October  21,  1878.  He 
went  to  London,  England,  with  that  company,  opening  at  "Her  Majesty's" 
Theatre,  July  31,  1880;  the  following  year  he  was  with  Emerson  in  San 
Francisco;  he  was  likewise  identified  with  other  prominent  organizations. 
Mr.  Dixon  was  one  of  the  original  California  Quartette. 

Thos.  B.  Dixon  was  born  in  1847 ;  he  died  in  Nashua,  N.  H.,  November  25, 
1890. 

Lew.  Spencer  (James  Erhardt),  well  known  as  a  black-face  performer, 
began  his  professional  career  in  his  native  city  about  1865  as  a  Dutch  come- 
dian. He  was  with  Duprez  and  Benedict's  Minstrels  about  1869,  and  subse- 
quently with  the  companies  of  Cal.  Wagner;  Barlow,  Wilson;  Haverly ;  Al. 
G.  Fields  and  others  as  prominent. 

He  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Md. ;  he  died  in  Chicago,  III,  December  7, 
1904 ;  age  56  years. 

Frank  Dumont  is  one  of  the  most  intellectual  men  in  minstrelsy;  originally 
a  ballad  singer,  he  has  been  connected  with  every  branch  of  the  black-face 
profession. 

Li  the  Fall  of  1862,  ^s  Master  Dumont,  he  was  with  Arlington  and  Don- 
niker's  Minstrels,  subsequently  he  was  associated  with  John  Cross  and  Tom 
Fish  with  Cross,  Fish  and  Dumont's  Minstrels ;  this  was  in  1866. 

The  following  year  he  was  with  Ned  Davis'  Minstrels ;  early  in  1869  he 
was  with  Dashington  and  Kling's  Minstrels  and  that  same  year  he  joined 
Duprez  and  Benedict's  Minstrels,  and  continued  with  them  about  eleven 
years. 

Subsequently  Mr.  Dumont  was  with  Carncross  in  Philadelphia,  the  San 
Francisco  Minstrels  in  New  York,  and  with  Lew  Dockstader's  Company. 
While  with  Sweatnam's  Minstrels,  August  22,  1879,  he  sang  "The  Old  Family 
Table." 

Mr.  Dumont  is  the  author  of  innumerable  songs,  sketches  and  plays,  and 
produced  all  the  shows  at  the  Eleventh  Street  Opera  House,  Philadelphia, 
since  the  inception  of  Dumont's  Minstrels  there  January  27,  1896. 

Frank  Dumont  was  born  in  Utica,  N.  Y.,  January  25,  1848. 

Will  G.  Mack,  once  of  the  team  of  Mack  and  O'Day,  had  been  in  the 
profession  about  twenty-five  years,  and  with  Al  G.  Fields',  Barlow  Bros.,  and 
other  minstrel  companies  prior  to  his  death,  November  12,  1897. 


FROM  "DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  199 

Charles  Heywood  (Frank  Haffner),  who  has  an  international  reputation 
in  minstrelsy  as  a  female  impersonator,  possesses  a  remarkably  fine  culti- 
vated voice,  which  long  experience  has  taught  him  to  use  to  the  best  ad- 
vantage. 

Air.  Heywood  made  his  debut  with  an  amateur  minstrel  company  in 
Newark,  N.  J.,  in  1867,  at  the  famous  old  Library  Hall. 

In  January,  1868,  he  appeared  professionally  in  New  York  with  Kelly 
and  Leon's  Minstrels. 

Later  he  was  identified  with  Buckley's,  Duprez  and  Benedict ;  Emer- 
son's ;  Simmons  and  Slocum's ;  Haverly's,  and  several  other  notable  organi- 
zations. 

In  1881  he  was  with  Thatcher  and  Ryman's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia, 
and  the  following  year  with  Clark  and  Ryman's  Minstrels  he  went  to  Aus- 
tralia— with  his  pigeons;  for  Heywood  wouldn't  travel  without  his  pigeons, 
and  the  pigeons  wouldn't  travel  without  Heywood :  so  there  you  are. 

After  the  pigeon  engagement,  which  lasted  sixty  weeks,  Mr.  Heywood 
joined  Haverly's  Mastodons  in  London,  in  1884;  again  using  the  pigeons,  100 
strong,  as  a  feature  of  his  act. 

After  several  notable  engagements  in  the  music  halls  on  the  Continent, 
he  returned  to  this  country,  and  subsequently  built  a  theatre  in  Newark, 
N.  J.  As  a  builder  Mr.  Heywood  admits  he  wasn't  a  success,  but  as  a  hustler 
he  is  second  to  none.  And  then  he  opened  a  conservatory,  where  several  who 
since  achieved  success  in  their  profession  recived  their  tuition.  Of  late  years 
Mr.  Heywood's  talents  have  been  devoted  chiefly  to  concert  work. 

Charles  Heywood  was  born  in  New  York  City,  October  24,  1848. 

Barry  Maxwell  (Ma.xey)  has  been  famous  for  many  years  for  his  delinea- 
tion of  the  aged  "darky,"  of  which  he  is  a  master. 

His  stage  career  began  in  his  native  city  as  a  member  of  the  Crescent 
City  Serenaders,  in  which  he  was  one  of  the  end  men. 

With  Ed  Gibson,  as  Gibson  and  Maxwell,  he  joined  Spalding  and  Man- 
ning's Minstrels :  other  minstrel  organizations  he  was  identified  with  were 
Hooley's :  Haverly's ;  Emerson  and  Reed's,  in  San  Francisco ;  Dockstader's, 
in  New  York,  from  1886  to  1889,  and  Schoolcraft  and  Alaxwell's  Minstrels 

Mr.  Maxwell  was  also  of  the  team  of  Maxwell  and  Carroll. 

For  ten  years  he  appeared  successfully  with  the  Chas.  H.  Hoyt  shows, 
where  he  was  called  upon  to  play  both  white  and  black  face  characters, 
which  he  did  with  equal  facility. 

His  portrayal  of  the  black-face  character  of  Othello,  in  the  "Texas 
Steer,"  and  Sassafras  Livingstone,  in  the  "County  Chairman,"  received  the 
highest  encomiums  from  press  and  public. 

Barry  Maxwell  was  born  in  New  Orleans,  La.,  October  29,  1848. 

OuiLTER  and  Goldrich  ranked  with  the  best  song  and  dance  teams  of  min- 
strelsy. 

They  made  their  first  appearance  in  1869  at  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  with  Harry 
Williams. 

During  their  partnership  they  played  practically  every  first-class  variety 
house  in  the  country,  as  well  as  many  of  the  principal  minstrel  companies, 
including  Harry  Robinson's,  Neil  Bryant's,  and  Kelly  and  Leon's. 


200  ■  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

July  19,  1874,  they  sailed  for  England,  where  on  August  10  they  made 
their  first  appearance  in  Liverpool  with  Sam  Hague's  Minstrels;  subs- 
equently going  to  Moore  and  Burgess'  Minstrels  in  London,  in  each  city 
meeting  with  pronounced  success. 

They  played  an  extended  engagement  with  Harrigan  and  Hart's  Com- 
pany in  New  York,  and  after  the  dissolution  of  that  famous  organization, 
June  13,  1885,  they  cast  their  fortunes  with  Edward  Harrigan. 

Mr.  Goldrich's  demise  occurred  during  this  period,  since  when  Mr. 
Quilter  has  appeared  mostly  in  dramatic  and  musical  produtcions.  Some 
of  the  principal  black-face  parts  portrayed  were  in  "Princess  Bonnie"  and  the 
"Traveling  Salesman." 

Richard  ("Dick")  Quilter  was  born  in  the  County  Kerry,  Ireland,  Aug- 
ust 16,  1848. 

Peter  Goldrich  (MacGoldrick)  was  born  in  Trenton,  N.  J.,  he  died  in  New 

York  City,  June  4,  1891  ;  age  42  years. 

• 

Cheevers  and  Kennedy,  originally  known  as  the  "Builfalo  Boys,"  a  title 
given  to  them  by  Dan  Bryant,  when  as  the  "infant  wonders"  they  made  their 
first  appearance  in  New  York,  with  Bryant's  Minstrels,  doing  a  double  clog 
reel  April  25,  1864. 

The  following  year  they  went  to  Carncross  and  Dixey's  Minstrels  in 
Philadelphia,  where  they  remained  until  1871  ;  part  of  this  time  they  were 
billed  as  Masters  Joseph  and  Eddie.  August  28,  1871,  they  opened  with 
the  San  Francisco  Minstrels  in  New  York  for  the  season ;  that  same  week 
they,  in  conjunction  with  Charley  Gibbons  and  Bobby  Newcomb,  formed 
a  dancing  quartette,  which  was  then  considered  quite  a  novelty. 

The  following  year  they  returned  to  Philadelphia  as  members  of  Frank 
Moran's  Minstrels.  July  2,  1874,  they  sailed  for  England,  opening  at  the 
London  Pavilion  July  19.  Subsequently  an  engagement  of  fourteen  months 
at  the  Cambridge,  same  city,  followed. 

Their  success  at  this  house  was  so  pronounced  that  an  extra  gallery 
had  to  be  built  to  accommodate  the  patrons  of  that  popular  establishment. 
Equally  successful  engagements  in  Dublin  and  Paris  followed.  It  will  be 
readily  seen  that  these  boys  were  "capital"  performers. 

Returning  to  the  United  States  they  rejoined  Carncross  and  Dixey  in 
Philadelphia. 

Early  in  1S77  they  began  a  brief  engagement  with  Emerson's  Minstrels 
in  San  Francisco,  and  in  the  Spring  of  that  year  sailed  for  Australia,  where 
they  remained  about  four  years. 

A  brief  separation  followed,  during  which  time  Mr.  Cheevers  worked 
alone ;  they  subsequently  came  together  again,  playing  successful  engage- 
ments in  the  music  halls. 

August  27,  1886,  they  arrived  in  New  York  City ;  they  played  several 
engagements  in  the  United  States,  subsequently  returning  to  England ;  later 
their  business  relations  were  again  severed ;  Mr.  Cheevers  assuming  the  man- 
agement of  the  Phoenix  Music  Hall,  Dover,  England,  and  some  years  later 
entering  the  hotel  business. 

After  a  separation  of  about  nine  years,  in  the  Fall  of  1904  they  once 
more  reunited  and  for  two  or  three  years  renewed  former  triumphs. 


^m 

1 

BURTON    STANLEY 


(jKO.   WILKES 


"RICARDO" 


'^^  g^  Ik^ 


GUS.    MILLS 


HARRY   LANSING 


STUART 


ARTHUR  UOTY 


JAMES  MACK  HARRY  CONSTANTINE 

fa:med  f.worites  who  featured  feminine  fancies. 


202  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Following  their  final  separation,  ]\Ir.  Cheevers  returned  to  the  United 
States,  where  he  has  mostly  remained. 

Mr.  Kennedy  is  a  boniface  in  England. 

Cheevers  and  Kennedy  enjoyed  a  well-merited  reputation  for  original- 
ity ;  their  quick  character  changes  and  diversified  dancing  gave  them  a  stand- 
ing in  their  profession  that  any  performer  might  envy. 

Joseph  E.  Cheevers  was  born  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  ]\'Iay  25,  1848. 

Edw.  J.  Kennedy  was  born  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  July  10,  1844. 

Gus  Bruno  made  his  first  appearance  professionally  in  his  native  city  with 
Rentz's  Circus,  in  1866,  doing  a  hurdle  act. 

He  came  to  the  United  States  a  few  years  later,  and  as  the  Limber 
Boy  he  played  an  engagement  at  Woodward's  Garden  in  San  Francisco. 

Charley  Armstrong  was  his  first  partner;  next  came  Clark  and  Bruno, 
and  then  Johnson  and  Bruno,  who  for  five  years  did  one  of  the  greatest  black- 
face acts  in  the  country,  playing  the  principal  variety  houses  and  minstrel 
organizations. 

i\Ir.  Bruno  subsequently  allied  himself  with  the  foremost  farcical  or- 
ganizations ;  he  is  now  playing  vaudeville. 

He  is  probably  the  best  dialectician  in  America,  and  was  the  first  to 
give  the  Swedish  and  Low  Dutch  dialects  on  the  stage. 

Gus  Bruno  was  born  in  Copenhagen,  Denmark,  May  4,  1848. 

RuEV  Hughes  (James  Quigg)  was  a  fine  dancer  and  a  good  general  per- 
former. 

He  appeared  at  the  Green  Street  Theatre  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  as  early  as 
1863.  The  following  year  he  was  with  A.  P.  Ball's  American  Coliseum 
Circus. 

In  1866  he  formed  a  partnership  with  John  Hogan,  and  as  Hogan  and 
Hughes  they  did  neat  songs  and  dances,  and  quickly  made  reputations  for 
themselves. 

Early  in  1867  Mr.  Hughes  and  his  partner  joined  Griffin  and  Christy's 
Minstrels  in  Ne,w  York.  Subsequently  they  appeared  successfully  with 
Hooley's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  with  Bryant's,  also  Ivelly  and 
Leon's  in  New  York.  In  1869,  with  Mr.  Hogan,  he  joined  Buckley's  Sere- 
naders  for  the  season. 

In  1870  Mr.  Hughes  began  an  engagement  with  Manning's  Minstrels  in 
Chicago,  where  a  few  months  later  he  was  taken  sick  and  finally  forced  to 
separate  from   ]\Ir.   Hogan. 

The  death  of  Mr.  Hughes  on  the  threshold  of  manhood  robbed  min- 
strelsy of  one  <Si  its  most  brilliant  luminaries. 

Ruey  Hughes  was  born  in  New  York  City ;  he  died  there,  November  10, 
1871  ;  age  23  years. 

S.VGE  Richardson  began  his  professional  career  as  a  member  of  the  famous 
Holman  troupe  in  1864,  at  Toronto,  Canada.  His  first  minstrel  engagement 
was  with  Cool  Burgess',  later  appearing  with  LaRue's  Minstrels. 

Subsequently  he  joined  hands  with  his  brother  John,  and  they  played 
the  variety  houses  until  1880.  when  he  doubled  with  Charley  Young,  later 
playing  an  engagement  with  Cal.  Wagner's  Minstrels ;  at  the  end  of  the  sea- 


FROM  "DADDY-  RICE  TO  DATE.  203 

son  Mr.  Richardson  returned  to  California,  and  afterward  reappeared  in  va- 
riety houses  with  his  brother. 

Sage  Richardson  was  born  in  New  York  City ;  he  died  in  San  Francisco, 
March  8,  1883 ;  age  about  35  years. 

I.  W.  Baird,  who  was  proprietor  and  manager  of  the  organization  that  bore 
his  name  for  several  seasons,  commenced  his  professional  career  as  a  trick 
bicycle  rider  in  1866.  In  1867  he  joined  Johnson's  Circus  at  Galesburg,  111., 
and  in  1872  was  part  proprietor  of  Smith  and  Baird's  Circus;  in  1874  he  con- 
trolled the  privileges  of  the  Great  Eastern  6  Tent  Shows. 

In  1875  he  organized  the  Baird-Howell  Show,  and  the  following  year 
the  first  performance  of  I.  W.  Baird's  Mammoth  Minstrels  was  given,  and 
continued  as  an  organization  until  1889;  Mr.  Baird  subsequently  engaging 
in  the  real  estate  business  in  Portland,  Ore. 

I.  \V.  Baird  was  born  in  Salem,  Ohio;  he  died  in  Portland,  Ore.,  January 
2,  1908. 

Jerry  Cohan.  It  will  be  a  surprise  to  most  of  the  present  generation  to  know 
that  the  daddy  of  the  famous  George  M.  Cohan  ever  appeared  in  black-face, 
but  he  did,  and  as  a  general  dancer  he  ranked  with  the  best;  Mr.  Cohan 
also  could  do  things  with  the  tambourine. 

His  first  minstrel  engagement  was  with  Campbell  and  Huntley's  Min- 
strels as  late  (or  early)  as  May,  1868.  He  joined  Kelly  and  Leon's  Asso- 
ciated Artists  in  Baltimore,  in  the  Summer  of  1869;  other  engagements  of  a 
"dark"  nature  were  Sam  Sharpley's  and  LaRue's. 

His  last  oflfense  was  the  California  (Joe  Norcross')  Minstrels,  which  he 
joined  at  Springfield,  Mass.,  December  5,  1879. 

Jerry  Cohan  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  January  31,  1848. 

W.  W.  Barhour,  well  and  favorably  known  as  one  of  the  prominent  "leaders" 
of  minstrelsy,  began  with  Cal.  Wagner's  Minstrels  in  the  70's ;  subsequently 
he  joined  Haverly,  and  was  with  him  for  twelve  years.  Later  he  was  a 
member  of  Cleveland's  Minstrels  for  two  years,  and  with  Geo.  Wilson  for 
three  years. 

He  was  also  leader  at  Sam  Jack's  Theatre  in  Chicago,  and  Frank  Hall's 
Casino  in  the  same  city. 

His  last  engagement  was  at  the  Grand  Opera  House,  New  York. 

W.  W.  Barbour  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  September  5,  1899;  age  51 
years. 

Billy  Courtright  (Albert  Courtright).  the  original  "Flewy  Flewy,"  and 
one  of  the  most  versatile  performers  on  the  minstrel  stage,  began  his  pro- 
fessional career  more  than  forty  years  ago.  He  was  part  owner  of  Blaisdell 
Bros,  and  Courtright's  Minstrels,  who  gave  their  initial  performance  at  Rock 
Island,  111.,  March  8,  1871. 

Mr.  Courtright  subsequently  joined  John  D.  Gilbert  in  a  black-face  act 
called  "Big  and  Little,"  of  which  they  were  the  originals ;  their  first  appear- 
ance in  New  York  was  at  Charley  White's  October  12,  1872.  In  November, 
1873.  Mr.  Courtright  joined  Haverly's  Minstrels,  and  a  few  months  later  be- 
came a  member  of  Arlinsrton,  Cotton  and  Kemble's  Minstrels  in  Chicago. 


204  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Mr.  Courtright  was  with  Kelly  and  Leon's  Minstrels  in  1877,  and  the  fol- 
lowing year  went  to  Australia  with  them. 

He  subsequently  rejoined  Haverly's.  In  the  Fall  of  1882,  Courtright 
and  Hawkin's  Minstrels  opened  in  Philadelphia,  as  a  permanent  company. 
Mr.  Courtright  has  been  giving  white  face  specialties  in  vaudeville  for  several 
years. 

Billy  Courtright  was  born  in  New  Milford,  III.,  March  10,  1848. 

Rowland  H.  Mayland  was  well  known  as  a  flute  soloist  with  many  of  the 
best  minstrel  organizations. 

His  first  professional  engagement  was  at  Mrs.  John  Wood's  Theatre, 
New  York,  in  1864.  Subsequently  he  joined  M.  C.  Campbell's  Minstrels, 
later  appearing  with  Hooley's  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  Buckley's ;  Kelly  and 
Leon's ;  Geo.  Christy's,  and  Seaver's  Minstrel  Hall,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

He  last  appeared  professionally  with  Neil  Bryant's  Minstrels  about 
thirty  years  ago. 

'  Rowland  H.  Mayland  was  born  in  New  York,  February  16,  1848. 

Lew  Parker,  the  present  manager  of  the  Crescent  Theatre  in  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y.,  1910,  was  an  acrobat  in  i860.     Doesn't  time  fly? 

This  i860  "affair"  was  with  the  Myers  and  Madigan  Circus,  which,  Mr. 
Parker  declares,  was  the  first  railroad  show  in  America. 

About  1863  he  joined  Skiff's  Minstrels ;  subsequently  Mr.  Parker  was 
with  the  Oriental  Minstrels;  as  might  be  surmised,  this  was  a  "turkey"  show. 

A  tour  of  South  America  with  Pickering's  Alinstrels  followed. 

Other  black  face  organizations  that  were  graced  by  the  presence  of  Mr. 
Parker  were  Johnny  Thompson's  Minstrels,  and  the  California  Minstrels; 
with  the  latter  he  sat  on  the  end  opposite  "Kerry  Gow"  Joe  Murphy. 

The  team  of  Lew  and  Pauline  Parker  played  the  variety  houses  from 
1873  to  1885. 

About  twenty-five  years  ago  Mr,  Parker  became  general  agent  for  the 
Buffalo  Bill  Wild  West  Show,  in  which  capacity  he  traveled  for  several 
seasons. 

Lew  Parker  was  born  in  Savannah,  Ga.,  May  12,  1849. 

Walters  and  Morton  formed  a  partnership  at  East  Saginaw,  Mich,  where 
they  first  performed  August  12,  1872.  As  an  acrobatic  song  and  dance  team 
they  were  ranked  with  the  best.  They  played  engagements  with  Arlington, 
Cotton  and  Kemble's  Minstrels  in  Chicago  in  1874;  subsequently  with  Neil 
Bryant's  Company. 

Early  in  1876  they  were  with  Kelly  and  Leon's  Minstrels,  where  they 
continued  about  two  years.  In  the  Summer  of  1876  they  separated  briefly, 
Mr.  Walters  joining  Andy  McKee  August  28,  that  year,  for  a  few  weeks. 
Subsequently  they  came  together,  and  continued  until  July  25,  1877,  when 
they  last  performed  jointly  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

Mr.  Walters'  first  appearance  were  with  circuses ;  in  1864  he  joined 
Rumsey's  Minstrels. 

After  separating  from  Mr.  Morton  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Mark 
Hughes,  making  his  last  appearance  with  him  at  Cincinnati  September  15, 
1877.     J.  W.  Morton  formed  a  partnership  with  Billy  Ashcroft  about  1870, 


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2o6  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

doing  black-face  song  and  dances  for  about  one  year.  August  ii,  1870,  he 
became  one  of  the  Big  Four,  and  continued  as  such  about  five  3'ears,  part 
of  which  the  Big  Four  Minstrels  toured.  Later,  Mr.  Morton  had  his  own 
organization. 

He  subsequently  went  to  England  and  Australia,  and  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  Tom  Sadler.     In  1890  he  was  conducting  a  hotel  in  New  Zealand. 

Charley  Walters  was  born  in  Cardiff,  Wales,  May  17,  1849;  he  died  in 
New  York  City  January  31,  1878. 

J.  W.  Morton  (Sheppard)  died  :\Iarch  30,  1907. 

Welch  and  Rice  were  two  of  the  best  exponents  of  neat  songs  and  dances  in 
minstrelsy. 

About  1863  they  attracted  the  attention  of  Jake  Budd,  who  adopted  them 
professionally,  and  named  them  Johnny  and  Willie  Budd,  the  "Empire 
Boys." 

They  had  appeared  before  the  public  individually  prior  to  the  above 
event,  each  with  Sanford's  Minstrels  in  Harrisburg,  Pa. ;  Johnny  Rice  was 
with  Charley  Petrie  before  joining  Welch. 

With  Jake  Budd  they  played  several  seasons  with  Skiff  and  Gaylord's 
Minsrels,  and  Buckley's  Serenaders. 

They  then  left  Budd,  and  opened  with  Simmons  and  Slocum's  Minstrels" 
in  Philadelphia,  March  6,  1871,  and  continued  intermittently  with  that  com- 
pany about  six  years. 

They  were  with  Haverly's  Minstrels  in  the  Spring  of  1878,  and  in  the 
Fall  of  that  year  they  were  members  of  the  original  Mastodons,  with  whom 
they  went  to  London  in  1880,  where  they  separated. 

Mr.  Welch  embarked  in  the  hotel  business  in  England  for  awhile,  but 
later  returned  to  the  United  States,  and  assumed  the  management  of  Callen- 
der's  Minstrels  for  the  proprietors,  Charles  and  Gustave  Frohman. 

Mr.  Welch's  last  engagement  was  with  Dockstader's  Minstrels  in  New 
York,  April  29,  1887. 

He  was  the  author  of  several  musical  sketches,  and  was  an  intellectual 
performer. 

Johnny  Rice  played  variety  and  minstrel  engagements  after  separating 
from  Welch. 

Billy  Welch  was  born  at  sea,  December  20,  1849 ;  l^^  "^'^^1  in  New  York 
City,  May  7,  1887. 

John  Cornelius  Rice  was  born  in  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  November  6,  I05J  ;  ho 
died  in  Chicago,  November  23,  1887. 

Master  Tommy  (Thomas  Henry  Ryan)  gave  promise  of  attaining  a  high 
position  in  his  chosen  profession. 

As  a  dancer  and  comedian  he  had  already  achieved  prominence. 
He  died  in  New  York,  June  22,  1869;  age  20  years. 

George  W.  Woods,  famous  as  a  great  bone  player  with  Haverly,  also  the 
San  Francisco  Minstrels,  and  who  in  1892  did  an  act  with  J.  H.  Mack  with 
the  Muldoon  Specialty  Company,  died  in  New  York  City,  June  19,  1898;  age 
50  years ;  he  was  born  in  England. 


FRO^[  -DADDY-  RICE  TO  DATE.  207 

Billy  West,  Billy  Emerson  and  Billy  Rice,  minstrelsy's  three  great 
"Billy's,"  died  within  fourteen  days — exactly  one  week  apart  in  1902. 

Charles  F.  Lorraine  made  his  fir^-t  appearance  on  the  stage  in  pantomime 
at  the  Brittania  Theatre,  London,  England,  in  1855,  as  a  child,  and  while 
still  a  child  gave  a  season  of  popular  concerts  at  the  Music  Hall,  Leeds, 
England. 

His  minstrel  career  began  in  1867  as  a  member  of  Charles  Christie's 
Minstrels ;  next  season  he  piloted  his  own  troupe ;  other  organizations  were 
the  Livermore  Bros.  Minstrels,  where  he  remained  some  time ;  subsequent 
minstrel  engagements  were  with  Matthews  Bros.,  and  Sam  Hague's,  all  in 
England. 

In  1882,  Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West;  then  Carpenter  and  Lorraine's 
Minstrels;  Barlow  and  Wilson;  Barlow,  Wilson  and  Rankin's;  Emerson's; 
Cleveland,  and  Haverly's. 

Mr.  Lorraine,  in  addition  to  being  a  vocalist,  was  an  interlocutor  of 
merit. 

He  married  Aliss  St.  George  Hussey,  who  died  in  Detroit,  Mich.,  October  9, 
1910. 

Charles  F.  Lorraine  was  born  December  11,  1849. 

George  T.  Clapham,  brother  of  Harry  J.  Clapham,  joined  Haverly's  Min- 
strels in  1875  as  advance  agent,  remaining  about  one  year;  subsequently 
going  to  Haverly's  Adelphi  Theatre  in  Chicago  as  advertising  agent,  where 
another  year  was  spent. 

In  the  early  8o's  he  assumed  management  of  Thatcher,  Primrose  and 
West's  Minstrels,  remaining  in  that  capacity  five  years. 

Later  he  was  with  Hoyt  &  Thomas,  one  season,  and  part  of  another 
was  with  H.  R.  Jacobs  in  Albany.  After  this  he  was  agent  for  Lew  Dock- 
stader's  (road)  Minstrels  about  three  seasons ;  then  with  Archie  Boyd. 

Mr.  Clapham  was  with  J.  H.  Haverly's  Minstrels  on  their  last  tour,  about 
12  years  ago. 

George  T.  Clapham  was  born  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  April,  1849. 

Joseph  H.  Mack  was  well  known  as  a  prominent  minstrel  agent  and  man- 
ager of  such  organizations  as  Kelly  and  Leon's,  Emerson's  California  Min- 
strels and  Hart,  Ryman  and  Barney's  Minstrels,  also  manager  of  the  Cleve- 
land Baseball  Club  in  1880. 

Joseph  H.  Mack  was  born  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  May  10,  1849;  he  died  at 
Hewitt,  N.  J.,  November  14,  1892. 

Harry  Fisher,  famous  in  the  old  Harrigan  and  Hart  days  for  his  unique 
German  characterizations,  played  Uncle  Tom  in  the  latter's  "cabin,"  in  New 
York  at  the  Olympic  Theatre,  in  April,  1878. 

Harry  Fisher  was  born  in  New  York  City,  July  21,  1849,  ^"^^  doesn't  care 
who  knows  it. 

Charles  Dockst,\der  was  one  of  the  most  prolific  producers  in  minstrelsy. 
He  was  something  besides  being  a  good  song  and  dance  performer,  and  was 
the  author  of  many  sketches,  acts  and  songs.  , 


2o8  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

His  first  appearance  on  the  stage  was  in  his  native  city  as  the  child  in 
"Pizarro,"  with  Edwin  Forrest;  his  debut  as  a  minstrel  was  also  made  in 
Cleveland  some  years  later. 

In  September,  1878,  he  formed  a  partnefship  with  Lew  Clapp,  opening 
in  Jersey  Cit}^  where  they  remained  several  weeks  at  a  variety  theatre  as 
the  Dockstader  Bros.  December  30,  same  year,  they  played  their  first  min- 
strel engagement  with  Jerry  Thomas'  Company  in  New  York. 

They  began  the  season  of  1880  with  Carncross'  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia, 
and  remained  there  .until  December,  1881,  when  they  opened  with  George 
Thatcher's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia  for  a  brief  engagement.  Subsequently 
they  were  with  Haverly,  and  a  return  to  Carncross,  where  early  in  March, 
1883,  owing  to  Mr.  Dockstader's  illness  he  was  compelled  to  separate  from 
Lew  Dockstader. 

Later  he  did  an  act  with  William  Lee  as  the  "Dockstader's;"  also  a 
sketch  with  Billy  and  Ella  Watson  in  1889.  Of  late  years  previous  to  his 
retirement  he  had  been  with  dramatic  companies. 

Charles  Dockstader  was  born  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  September  28,  1849; 
he  died  in  Pleasantville,  N.  J.,  October  20,  1907. 

-Frank  "Pop"  Ward,  known  everywhere  as  the  "Terrible  Judge"  of  vaude- 
ville, began  his  professional  career  with  Lent's  Circus  in  Newark,  N.  J.,  in 
1871  as  a  trapeze  performer. 

Li  1873  'lE  became  a  member  of  the  Orpheus  Quartette,  and  remained 
with  them  until  he  organized  the  original  Clipper  Quartette  in  1879,  opening 
at  Tony  Pastor's  in  New  York  City.  Mr.  Ward  continued  with  the  quartette 
through  the  various  changes  until  its  dissolution,  about  1893,  playing  with 
Snellbaker's  "Majesties";  Hyde  and  Behman's  Company;  Mclntyre  and 
Heath's  Minstrels :  Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels ;  Nat  Goodwin 
and  many  high-class  farcical  organizations. 

Mr.  Ward  formed  a  partnership  with  John  P.  Curran  in  1893,  since  which 
he  has  been  most  successfully  appearing  in  vaudeville. 

"Pop"  Ward  is  considered  a  wonder  in  the  profession  he  so  ably  rep- 
resents, possessing  all  the  energy  and  vim  of  a  performer  of  half  his  years. 

Francis  T.  Ward  was  born  in  New  York  City,  January  4,  1849. 

Frank  Turner  (Trainor)  was  one  of  the  Three  Turner  Brothers  who  ap- 
peared successfully  in  the  variety  theatres  for  several  seasons. 

In  Cincinnati,  September  3,  1877,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Albert 
Geyer,  one  of  the  three  Geyer  Brothers,  doing  black-face  song  and  dances. 
His  last  appearance  was  at  the  Olympic  Theatre,  New  York,  November  12, 
1877. 

He  died  in  New  York  City,  November  17,  1877. 

Dent.  Delmanning  was  one  of  the  well-known  Delmanning  Brothers,  a 
prominent  song  and  dance  team,  who  entered  the  profession  about  1871. 

They  were  with  Whitmore  and  Clark's ;  Cal.  Wagner's ;  Barlow,  Wilson 
and  Rankin's  and  other  well-known  minstrel  organizations. 

He  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  February  4,  1901. 

Al.  Hayman,  of  the  great  theatrical  syndicate,  was  in  minstrelsy,  though  the 
author  has  no  record  of  his  ever  "blacking  up." 


MRS.    BIuLY    EMERSON  MRS.     BILLY    MANNING  MRS.    BILLY  RICE 

WIVES  OF  FAMOUS  MINSTRELS. 


210  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Hiscox  and  Hayman's  Minstrels  were  organized  in  Australia  in  the 
Spring  of  1880. 

For  further  particulars  see  Willis  P.  Sweatnam. 

Billy  Frear,  was  an  unusually  versatile  black-face  performer,  being  equally 
proficient  as  a  dancer,  banjoist  or  comedian ;  as  an  end  man  he  was  especially 
clever.  His  first  minstrel  engagement  was  with  Duprez  and  Benedict's, 
about  1865  ;  he  was  quite  popular  with  this  company,  and  equally  so  with 
Carncross  and  Dixey  in  Philadelphia  subsequently. 

His  first  wife  was  Millie  Blair,  a  well-known  song  and  dance  artist ;  later 
he  married  a  Miss  Rogers.  He  died  in  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  December  28, 
1888;  age  41  years. 


Charles  W.  Cogill  made  his  first  appearance  with  his  brother  in  San  Fran- 
cisco ;  later  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Fred  Cooper. 

In  May,  1877,  Cogill  and  Cooper  built  and  opened  the  Adelphi  Theatre 
in  the  California  metropolis,  and  conducted  it  for  several  months. 

Mr.  Cogill  subsequently  joined  George  Reynolds  after  the  death  of  the 
latter's  brother  in  1878;  the  alliance  did  not  last  long,  and  again  he  joined  his 
brother,  together  they  went  to  Australia,  where  they  were  great  favorites.  They 
opened  in  Sydney  in  April,  1885,  later  going  to  Melbourne,  where  they  had  their 
own  theatre,  and  where  they  remained  twelve  years.  ^ 

About  1900  Mr.  Cogill  returned  to  America,  and  rejoined  Cooper  in  a 
song  and  dance  act. 

Charles  W.  Cogill  was  born  in  New  York ;  he  died  in  San  Francisco, 
March  16,  1903 ;  age  53  years. 

John  M.  Turner  (McTurney),  a  really  great  banjoist,  formed  a  partner- 
ship with  J.  K.  Buckley  in  a  banjo  act  in  the  middle  70's;  they  severed  their 
business  relations  November  11,  1876. 

Mr.  Turner  was  married  in  1872. 

For  several  years  prior  to  his  death  he  had  not  been  actively  engaged 
in  his  profession. 

John  M.  Turner  was  born  in  New  York  about  1850;  he  died  there  Sep- 
tember 4,  1907. 

"Bernardo"  (Thomas  White),  a  prominent  female  impersonator  in  the 
"good  old  days,"  according  to  Frank  Dumont,  appeared  as  early  as  1867  with 
Ned  Davis'  Olio  Minstrels  as  Master  J.  Buckley. 

He  was  with  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  two  years  later, 
playing  under  his  own  name,  Thos.  White. 

He  joined  Lew  Benedict's  Minstrels  in  July,  1872,  subsequently  he  was 
associated  with  the  San  Francisco  Minstrels  in  New  York  in  1875  •  the  same 
year  he  joined  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  in  1878  was  a 
member  of  Charley  Morris'  Minstrels.  He  was  with  Bryant's  in  New  York, 
also  Haverly's  Minstrels. 

In  May,  1877,  with  Charley  Sutton,  Francis  Wilson  and  Jimmy  Mackin, 
he  launched  Mackin,  Wilson,  Sutton  and  Bernardo's  Minstrels. 

"Bernardo"  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  November  21,  1880. 


FROM  -DADDr'  RICE  TO  DATE.  2II 

Charley  Glidden  was  an  "Oyster  Can  Moke"  with  the  late  Fred.  Huber 
in  1879. 

He  is  now  a  successful  citizen  of  Seattle — and  Seattle  is  said  not  to  be 
sad. 

George  Gale,  famous  for  many  years  with  many  companies  as  a  burlesque 
lyric  artist  and  tenor  vocalist,  made  his  professional  debut  with  Harry  Rob- 
inson's Minstrels  at  Coldwater,  Mich.,  about  35  years  ago;  probably  a  little 
less  than  that — at  any  rate,  he  later  joined  Haverly's  Minstrels,  and  after- 
ward Barlow,  Wilson,  Primrose  and  West's  organization. 

While  with  Hyde  and  Behman's  Minstrels  he  was  one  of  the  members 
of  the  Clipper  Quartette. 

Mr.  Gale  was  located  in  Philadelphia  with  Carncross'  Minstrels,  and  in 
Chicago  with  Haverly's  Home  Minstrels. 

Mr.  Gale  was  also  with  McNish,  Johnson  and  Slavin's  Minstrels,  as  well  . 
as  various  high-class  farcical  companies. 

At  present  he  is  now  of  the  Clipper  3 — Gale,  Wensley  and  Manchester. 

George  Gale  is  a  finely  preserved  man  for  his  age — which  was  "acci- 
dentally" not  given  to  the  author. 

James  B.  Frear  was  several  years  a  minstrel,  but  abandoned  that  profession 
some  time  before  his  death  for  the  more  dorrtestic  one  of  barber. 
He  died  in  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  January  6,  1885. 

Ned  Wambold,  the  well-known  comedian,  and  who  was  a  nephew  of  Dave 
Wambold,  made  his  first  appearance  in  his  native  city  with  the  Congo  Min- 
strels, July  I,  1869. 

He  was  associated  in  the  management  of  his  own  company  with  E.  M. 
Hall  and  E.  M.  Kayne;  the  organization  bore  their  names  and  started  from  Chi- 
cago, April  ip,  1875.  In  the  Fall  of  1879  he  joined  Joe  Xorcross'  California 
Minstrels,  and  late  in  December  the  following  year  he  was  a  member  of 
Kyle's  "Christy"  Minstrels,  who  endeavored  unsuccessfully  to  revive  min- 
strelsy in  Boston.  He  was  also  connected  with  several  variety  and  other 
minstrel  shows  during  his  comparatively  brief,  but  very  successful  career 
as  a  comedian. 

Ned  Wambold  was  born  in  Newark,  N.  J.;  he  died  there  April  18,  1882. 

George  F.  Moore  was  the  originator  of  the  noiseless  Essence  dance,  and  a 
performer  versatile  to  a  degree. 

His  first  appearance  was  made  with  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y.,  at  the  age  of  fourteen.  At  18  he  married  Kittie  Henderson,  and  they 
did  sketches  for  several  years,  when  the  act  was  augmented  by  "Baby" 
Moore.  November  12,  1879,  he  married  Kittie  Parker,  the  banjoist,  in  Den- 
ver, Colo. 

He  had  several  companies  of  his  own  prior  to  going  to  England  in  July, 
1887,  where  he  played  the  music  halls  until  his  death. 

George  F.  Moore  was  born  in  Cambridge,  Mass.,  July  6,  1850;  he  died  in 
Liverpool,  England,  October  21,  1890, 


212  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

The  American  Team  were  originally  two  distinct  song  and  dance  acts, 
Wayne  and  Lovely,  Cotton  and  Birdue.  They  formed  an  alliance  in  the  Spring 
of  1876,  and  after  a  few  brief  engagements  in  the  United  States,  sailed  for  Eng- 
land, opening  in  London,  June  26,  1876. 

They  were  a  sensation  in  the  English  capitol,  also  in  Paris.  Early  in 
1878  the   four   disbanded. 

Ben  Cotton,  who  was  a  son  of  the  noted  minstrel  of  that  name,  married 
Mrs.  Mary  E.  Marshall  in  London,  June  28,  1877,  and  about  a  year  later 
returned  to  the  United  States,  and  appeared  with  Ward  and  Webb's  Min- 
strels in  the  Spring  of  1879,  and  Norcross'  California  Minstrels  in  the  Fall 
of  the  same  year. 

As  early  as  1865  he  was  with  Cotton  and  Murphy's  Minstrels  as  Master 
Bennie. 

Birdue  and  Wayne  formed  an  alliance  and  played  with  Hague's  Min- 
strels in  the  Fall  of  1878. 

Bob  Birdue  had  various  partners  before  associating  with  Ben  Cotton, 
notably  Richard  Golden  and  Edw.  B.  Daily,  well-known  now  in  Boston. 

Burt  Wayne   (Bout)   died  in  Liverpool,  England,  March  13,  1879. 

Joe  Lovely  died  at  Manchester,  England,  ]\Iay  21,  1882;  age  35  years. 

Ben  Cotton,  Jr.,  died  in  Bristol,  R.  L,  October  26,  1880;  age  26  years. 

Bob  Birdue  died  in  Liverpool,  England,  October  8,  1879. 

Harry  Watson,  one  of  the  funniest  Dutchmen  on  the  vaudeville  stage, 
began  his  professional  career  in  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  in  1859,  doing  a  black-face 
song  and  dance  for  John  Ryan.  Mr.  Watson  worked  for  his  board  only,  and 
got  it. 

Subsequently  he  played  many  engagements  in  black-face;  we'd  like  to 
see  him  do  it  now. 

Goss  and  Fox  were  one  of  the  best  black-face  song  and  dance  teams  in 
minstrelsy. 

They  formed  an  alliance  in  the  early  7o's.  and  were  with  Haverly's  Min- 
strels at  the  organization  of  that  company  in  November,  1873.  In  January, 
1878,  they  were  with  Simmons,  Slocum  and  Sweatnam's  Minstrels  in  Phila- 
delphia. The  following  season  they  joined  Harrigan  and  Hart's  Company 
in  New  York  and  remained  with  them  several  seasons. 

]\Ir.  Goss'  partner  prior  to  meeting  Mr.  Fox  was  Lew  Hallett;  and  as 
Hallett  and  Goss  played  an  engagement  with  Cal.  Wagner's  Minstrels,  clos- 
ing December  31,  1871. 

Mr.  Goss'  first  appearance  was  at  Acker's  Garden,  Troy,  N.  Y. 

Ned.  Goss  was  born  in  Cohoes,  N.  Y.,  September  4,  1848 ;  he  died  in 
New  York  City,  April  16,  1882. 

James  Fox,  who  was  a  brother  of  Ned  Fox,  was  born  at  Little  Falls,  N. 
Y.,  March  28,  1853 ;  he  died  at  Amsterdam,  N.  Y.,  November  10,  1887. 

Paul  Dresser,  whose  many  songs  were  widely  sung  with  many  minstrel 
companies,  was  a  member  of  Billy  Rice's  Minstrels  about  1885. 

He  was  born  in  Terre  Haute,  Ind. ;  he  died  in  New  York,  January  30, 
1906. 


THE  "MERRY  OLD  GALS"  IN  ENGLAND,  1871. 
H.  Livermore,  G.  Livermore,  C.  Livermore,  C.  F.  Lorraine,  L.  Livermore. 


CALLAN,  HALEY  AND  CALLAN'S  ELECTRIC  3  MINSTRELS. 

November  3,   1886. 


214  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Al.  G.  Field  (Alfred  Griffith  Hatfield)  has  been  a  name  to  conjure  by  in 
various  parts  of  the  Union  for  a  period  of  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century ; 
merely  to  announce  that  the  famous  minstrel  and  his  company  were  to  appear 
at  a  given  place  was  practically  saying  that  the  minstrel  loving  population 
would  turn  out  en  masse  to  greet  them. 

Nearly  everyone  knows  all  about  Mr.  Field's  career  from  the  inception 
of  the  Fields'  Minstrels  to  date ;  but  how  many  are  aware  of  the  famous 
comedian's  early  struggles  he  went  through  before  he  reached  the  goal  of 
success?     It  is  a  pleasure  for  the  author  to  recount  them. 

Al.  G.  Field  first  appeared  professionally  at  Jeffries  Hall,  Brownsville, 
Pa.,  about  1871  ;  he  performed  in  the  old  nigger  act  of  "Handy  Andy";  he 
attracted  the  attention  of  that  famous  minstrel  Sam  Sharpley,  and  became  a 
member  of  his  company,  officially  known  as  Sharpley,  Sheridan,  Mack  and 
Day's  Minstrels;  this  was  in  the  Winter  of  1871.  The  following  season  he 
joined  Bidwell  and  McDonough's  "Black  Crook"  Company;  subsequently  he 
appeared  with  the  California  Minstrels,  and  Tony  Denier's  "Humpty 
Dumpty."  In  November,  1876,  he  became  a  member  of  Haverly's  "Black- 
birds of  a  Nation,"  one  of  the  many  minstrel  companies  controlled  at  one 
time  liy  that  astute  manager. 

Mr.  Field's  other  minstrel  engagements  were  with  Simmons  and  £lo- 
cum's  in  1877,  and  Duprez  and  Benedict's,  in  1883.  In  May,  1875,  he  paid 
a  visit  to  Peter  Sells'  and  his  circus,  and  in  conjunction  with  Mclntyre  and 
Heath  put  on  a  minstrel  first  part,  also  did  a  monologue.  Mr.  Field's  success 
was  so  pronounced  on  this  occasion  that  he  not  only  continued  during  the 
balance  of  the  season,  but  for  ten  consecutive  years  was  associated  with  the 
famous  Sells  organization  during  the  tenting  seasons,  in  the  capacity  of  per- 
former, also  filling  responsible  executive  positions. 

In.  the  Spring  of  1884  Mr.  Field  organized  what  is  now  the  Hagenbeck- 
Wallace  Show,  opening  at  Peru,  Ind.,  April  27;  he  remained  with  them  as 
manager  until  September  9,  1886. 

On  the  sixth  day  of  October,  1886,  the  Al.  G.  Field's  Minstrels  were  or- 
ganized ;  the  company  numbered  27  persons,  and  gave  their  initial  perform- 
ance at  Alarion,  Ohio.    The  rest  we  all  know. 

Mr.  Field  claims  that  his  minstrel  company  was  the  first  to  carry  their 
entire  stage  setting  and  scenery,  and  the  first  to  build  and  operate  a  special 
train  of  cars. 

May  10,  1910,  the  company  was  incorporated. 

Al.  G.  Field  was  born  near  Morgantown,  W.  Va.  (but  at  the  time  Virgi- 
nia), November  7,  1850. 

Se.'\mon  and  Sommers  were  an  excellent  black-face  song  and  dance  team 
who  formed  an  alliance  in  the  middle  70's. 

In  the  Fall  of  1877  they  were  with  Neil  Bryant's  Minstrels ;  subsequently 
they  were  with  other  first-class  organizations  until  December,  1880,  when 
with  the  Girard  Bros,  as  the  "Grotesque  4"  they  began  an  engagement  with 
Thatcher  and  Ryman's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia.  Early  in  1882  Seamon, 
Sommers  and  the  Girard  Bros.,  in  conjunction  with  Lester  and  Allen,  former 
the  "Funny  6." 

Charley  Seamon  met  with  great  success  as  Reuben  Whipple  in  "Way 


FROM  "DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  215 

Down  East" ;  he  was  equally  successful  with  Russell's  famous  "City  Direc- 
tory" prior  to  that. 

Tom  Sommers  was  the  husband  of  Carrie  Boshell,  of  the  well-known 
Boshell  Sisters,  once  of  Carter's  Zouaves. 

Charles  V.  Seamon  died  at  Sheffield,  Mass.,  July  27,  1898. 

Tom  Sommers  (Thos.  Eugene  Sommerville)  died  at  St.  Paul,  Minn., 
September  12,  1891. 

Fred  Bryant  (Snyder)  began  his  professional  career  with  Charley  West 
about  1875,  doing  a  musical  act  as  Bryant  and  West ;  they  continued  as  part- 
ners about  three  years. 

In  1878  he  joined  William  F.  Hoey,  and  as  Bryant  and  Hoey  they  gave 
one  of  the  greatest  black-face  musical  acts  ever  seen. 

In  1882  the  combination  of  Evans,  Bryant  and  Hoey  formed  a  company 
called  the  "Meteors." 

About  two  years  later  Mr.  Bryant  withdrew,  and  subsequently  played 
mostly  in  the  variety  houses. 

As  a  cornettist  he  ranked  with  the  best. 

Fred  Bryant  died  in  New  York  City,  June  22,  1894. 

Joseph  Brooks,  the  well-known  theatrical  magnate,  now  located  in  New 
York  City,  was  formerly  a  minstrel  magnate.  When?  August  24,  1881, 
the  season  of  Brooks,  Dickson  and  Clapham's  Minstrels  was  inaugurated. 

Frank  Howard  (Parlimenta),  once  of  the  Clipper  Quartette,  and  also  of 
the  famous  minstrel  act  of  Adams,  Casey  and  Howard,  is  in  business  in  New 
Jersey. 

Dave  Foy  was  several  years  as  a  clown  with  Robinson's  Circus,  commencing 
about  1876;  subsequently  he  was  with  the  "Two  John's"  Company;  as  late 
as  1887,  with  Lizzie  Foy,  he  played  the  principal  vaudeville  houses. 

Season  of  1891-92  he  was  with  Primrose  and  West.  In  1890  he  joined 
Ca'-ncross's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia ;  during  the  World's  Fair  in  Chicago, 
he  played  with  Haverly :  subsequently  returning  to  Carncross,  where  he  was 
quite  popular;  his  excessive  avoirdupois  contributed  in  a  small  measure  to 
his  success. 

Dave  Foy  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  died  October  16,  1900. 

Jabez  Freeth,  interlocutor  and  bass  singer  in  the  California  Quartette,  was 
prominently  identified  with  the  minstrel  companies  of  Haverly,  Emerson 
and  several  others. 

He  died  in  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  July  11,  1882. 

Adams  and  Lee  were  a  prominent  black-face  musical  team  who  formed 
a  partnership  in  the  70's.     In  1878  they  were  with  Haverly 's  Mastodons. 

Mr.  Adams  was  subsequently  of  the  team  of  Adams,  Casey  and  How- 
ard. 

Mr.  Lee  later  did  considerable  concert  work  with  Billy  Huntley.  As 
a  banjoist  Mr.  Lee  excelled. 

James  E.  Adams  died  in  New  York,  December  4,  1897. 

John  H.  Lee  died  in  San  Diego,  Cal.,  September  7,  1890. 


2i6  MONARCHS  OF  AIINSTRELSY, 


John  E.  Henshaw,  famous  for  many  moons  for  his  comedy  work  in  various 
successful  productions,  played  the  tambourine  on  the  end  with  a  minstrel 
show  in  June,    1871. 

The  following  year  he  was  with  Harry  Robinson's  Minstrels,  and  for 
several  seasons  was  of  the  black-face  song  and  dance  teams  of  Henshaw  and 
Lawton,  and  Henshaw  and  Ginniven.  In  1879  he  was  with  the  California 
Minstrels.  So  you  see  Mr.  Henshaw  has  qualified  to  become  a  permanent 
resident  of  "Monarchs  of  Minstrelsy." 

Wally  Gibbs,  a  well-known  black-face  comedian  ,who  was  with  the  Mega- 
therian  Minstrels  in  1879,  died  in  Warwick,  Mass.,  April  22,  1893. 

Barney  Fagan  (Bernard  J.  Fagan)  is  justly  recognized  as  the  world's 
greatest  general  dancer;  as  a  producer,  he  ranks  second  to  none. 

Mr.  Fagan  made  his  first  professional  appearance  in  his  native  city  at 
the  famous  Howard  Athenaeum  in  i860,  as  the  Cabin  Boy  in  the  "Pilot  of 
Brest."  He  remained  at  this  theatre  several  seasons.  In  1865  he  played 
his  first  minstrel  engagement  with  the  Morris  Brothers  in  Boston.  In  1870 
Mr.  Fagan  went  to  St.  Johns,  N.  B.,  and  appeared  with  Pete  Lee's  Minstrels. 

In  1873  he  joined  Buckley's  Serenaders  in  Boston,  and  took  Joe  Parks 
as  a  partner ;  the  next  three  years,  Fagan  and  Parks,  known  as  the  American 
Lads,  played  variety  engagements. 

In  1876  he  did  the  famous  Heifer  dance  with  Richard  Golden  in  "Evan- 
geline." Mr.  Fagan  next  joined  John  Fentonin  a  dancing  specialty,  and 
continued  with  him  until  1878,  when  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Lizzie 
Mulvey,  which  lasted  one  season. 

Mr.  Fagan  in  1879  allied  himself  with  Barlow,  Wilson,  Primrose  and 
West's  Minstrels,  and  continued  with  them  until  the  company's  dissolution 
in  June,  1882 ;  with  this  organization  he  was  general  producer  and  soloist. 

Probably  Mr.  Pagan's  greatest  achievement  was  in  organizing  and  pro- 
ducing Sweatnam,  Billy  Rice  and  Pagan's  Minstrels,  which  gave  their  first 
performance  at  Albany,  N.  Y.,  July  25,  1887 ;  this  was  the  largest  minstrel 
company  that  had  ever  traveled ;  105  persons  on  parade ;  88  in  the  regular 
company;  incidentally  that  show  was  just  twenty-three  years  ahead  of  its 
time ;  in  other  words,  Sweatnam,  Rice  and  Pagan's  minstrels  are  about  due 
again. 

Subsequently  Mr.  Fagan  was  with  Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West ;  Bar- 
low, Wilson  and  Rankin's ;  and  Cleveland's  Minstrels ;  with  the  latter  organi- 
zation sitting  on  the  opposite  end  to  Luke  Schoolcraft. 

Outside  of  minstrelsy  Mr.  Fagan  has  appeared  successfully  in  white- 
face  in  such  plays  as  "Paradise  Alley,"  and  his  own  company,  "A  High 
Roller,"  the  latter  in   1890. 

Some  notable  marches  were  the  "West  Point  Cadets ;  the  "Phantom 
Guards"  and  "The  Dance  of  the  Popinjays";  the  latter  being  one  of  the  clev- 
erest conceits  ever  seen  in  minstrelsy. 

Mr.  Fagan  was  general  producer  for  Corinne  for  several  seasons,  also 
with  other  notable  companies. 

As  a  song  writer  he  is  no  less  prominent ;  "Everybody  Takes  Their  Hat 
Off  to  Me,"  and  "A  High  Born  Lady,"  each  enjoyed  great  popularity. 


: Ai  .\i;klk   ai;i:cco 


CHAS.    HENRY 


(.'HAS.     MErA  III.K 


CITAS.     TEMPLETON 


J.    B.    MURPHY 


'T.\(  K"  nF.R,\r.\.\ 


GEO.    GRAY 


TOM    I'RENDERGAST 


CHAS.    LOCKWOOD 


TOM    LESLIE 

SINGERS  OF  THE  6o's. 


JOHN    F.    OBERIST 


2i8  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Likewise  did  this  versatile  genius  write  some  very  clever  plays,  nota- 
bly— "The  Land  of  Fancj',"  "The  Game  of  Love"  and  several  others.  Mr. 
Fagan    has   been   plaving   with    Henrietta    Byron,    of    the    Byron    Sisters,    since 

1895- 

Barney  Fagan  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  January  12,  1850. 

"Eustache"  (George  Worrell  Culbertson),  until  February,  1878,  was  known 
as  George  Robinson.  He  attained  prominence  as  a  female  impersonator,  and 
made  his  first  appearance  with  Dan  Shelby,  at  his  variety  house  in  Buffalo, 
N.  Y. 

His  principal  minstrel  engagements  were  with  Harry  Robinson,  and 
Gal.  Wagner's. 

"Eustache"  is  said  to  be  a  native  of  Piqua,  O. ;  he  died  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y., 
April  30,  1884. 

Will  H.  Morton  (Bushman),  well  known  as  an  able  interlocutor  and  singer 
of  motto  songs,  was  one  of  the  original  members  of  Haverly's  Minstrels  of 
1873;  subsequently  he  did  sketches  with  "Bernardo." 

Mr.  Morton  was  the  husband  of  Lily  Post,  the  favorite  light  opera  singer. 

Will  H.  Morton  died  in  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  November  2,  1895. 

Edwin  Harley,  a  well-known  vocalist  of  the  old  Haverly  days,  made  his 
first  appearance  as  a  member  of  Maguire's  Minstrels  in  .San  Francisco,  Feb- 
ruary 23,  1874.  Mr.  Harley  is  said  to  be  comfortably  situated  in  the  rail- 
road business  in  the  great  Northwest. 

Eddid  Foy  (Fitzgerald),  the  "famed  farceur  with  the  funny  face,"  was  a 
black-face  song  and  dance  man  more  than  thirty  years  ago.  He  was  of  the 
team  of  Foy  and  Thompson ;  they  began  an  engagement  at  Carncross'  Min- 
strels in  Philadelphia,  as  late  as  January  22,  1883.  This  was  before  Mr.  Foy 
had  dark  designs  of  donning  the  habiliments  of  Hamlet. 

Harry  Budworth  (John  B.  Kearney)  was  well  known  as  a  capable  come- 
dian, and  was  associated  with  some  of  the  best  minstrel  organizations. 

His  professional  career  began  in  the  early  70's,  and  ended  shortly  be- 
fore his  death,  when  he  achieved  considerable  success  appearing  in  vaudeville 
in  Charles  Horwitz's  "A  Royal  Visitor." 

Harry  Budworth  died  in  Philadelphia,  April  2,  1901. 

James  H.  Decker  began  his  professional  career  in  an  executive  capacity 
with  Cooper  and  Bailey's  Circus  in  1879,  and  continued  with  them  for  three 
seasons. 

Minstrelsy  first  knew  him  also  in  1879,  when  he  was  with  Hooley  and 
Emerson's  Megatherians.  In  1881  he  joined  Sells  Brothers  Circus,  and  the 
following  year  was  assistant  agent  with   Leavitt's   Gigantean   Minstrels. 

In  1883  he  returned  to  Sells  Brothers,  and  continued  with  them  three 
years.  Mr.  Decker  was  so  highly  esteemed  by  his  associates,  that  in  No- 
vember, 1883,  they  presented  him  with  a  gold  watch  charm. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  circus  season  in  1886,  Mr.  Decker  finally  de- 
cided to  cast  his  lot  with  minstrelsy.     Accordingly  on   December  20,    1886, 


FROM  '•DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  219 

he  joined  McNish,  Johnson  and  Slavin's  Minstrels  as  general  agent ;  he  con- 
tinued with  this  company  until  the  end  of  the  following  season,  when  he 
joined  Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels;  subsequently  he  was  with 
^  Primrose  and  West's  Company,  severing  his  connection  with  them  Decem- 
ber 21,   1889. 

His  next  engagement  was  with  George  Thatcher's  Company,  and  in 
1892,  in  conjunction  with  Al.  Primrose,  formed  Decker  Brothers  Minstrels. 
Since  then  he  has  been  identified  in  a  managerial  capacity  successively  with 
Primrose  and  West's;  Primrose  and  Dockstader's ;  Primrose's,  and  lastly 
Dockstader's  Minstrels. 

At  the  present  time  he  is  General  Manager  of  the  booking  department 
of  the  Shubert  theatrical  forces. 

Mr.  Decker,  who  is  an  indefatigable  worker,  can  see  nothing  in  min- 
strelsy except  that  which  he  is  identified  with  at  that  precise  moment,  and 
like  most  successful  men,  has  enemies  galore. 

James  H.  Decker  was  born  in  Albany,  N.  Y.     See  records  for  exact  date. 

Ch.\rles  M.  Ernest  (McClenehan)  was  an  extraordinary  brilliant  black- 
face performer,  and  as  a  straight  man  in  acts  was  especially  clever. 

He  was  prominently  identified  with  William  H.  West's  Minstrels  in  the 
late  90's,  and  at  one  time  was  a  partner  of  Tom  Lewis. 

Shortly  previous  to  his  death,  in  conjunction  with  George  Thatcher,  he 
gave  a  mythical  minstrel  first  part  scene  in  vaudeville  with  pronounced  suc- 
cess. 

He  was  once  the  husband  of  Cora  Beckwith,  the  well-known  swimmer. 

Charles  M.  Ernest  was  born  in  Jackson,  Tenn. ;  he  died  in  Harrison, 
N.  Y.,  May  21,  1907. 

Fred  Frear  joined  Moore  and  Burgess'  Minstrels  in  London,  England,  at 
the  age  of  seven  years  as  a  ballad  singer ;  later  he  developed  into  a  fine  song 
and  dance  performer  and  female  impersonator.  He  was  with  that  company 
for  fourteen  years. 

He  died  in  London,  England,  August  12,  1889;  age  25  years. 

Sh.\rpley  and  ^^^EST.  the  well  known  black-face  musical  act,  made  their 
appearance  as  a  team  in  Hoboken,  N.  J.,  about  1878,  and  continued  until  the 
death  of  the  former ;  during  which  period  they  played  the  best  variety  houses 
and  organizations. 

Previous  to  forming  a  partnership  with  Fred.  Sharpley.  Mr.  West  had 
been  associated  with  Charley  Hanson,  whom  he  joined  in  1872. 

Later  he  did  an  act  with  Sam  Dearin,  the  latter  was  then  known  as  Billy 
Bryant. 

Mr.  West  subsequently  joined  Fred  Bryant,  and  as  Bryant  and  West 
were  associated  about  three  years ;  then  came  Sharpley  and  West. 

Fred  Sharpley  was  born  in  Montreal,  Canada,  January  17,  1856;  he  died 
in  Chicago,  III,  March  23.  1888. 

Charley  West  was  born  in  New  York  City,  June   18,   1850. 

Archie  Baldwin   (Stockmar),  famous  as  one  of  the  team  of  Baldwin  and 


220  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Daly,  whose  "Happy  Hottentots"  was  one  of  the  best  black-face  acts  on  the 
-■fariety  stage,  died  in  Havana,  Cuba,  January  7,  1900;  age  47  years. 

Harry  Lansing  (Zebley)  an  old-time  female  impersonator,  was  with  Sim- 
mons and  Slocum's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia  in  1874;  in  1879  he  was  with 
Haverly's  Minstrels. 

About  the  middle  80's  he  had  as  a  partner,  Harry  Constantine ;  together 
they  played  the  variety  theatres. 

Harry   Lansing  died    (murdered)   in  Philadelphia,  February,   1887. 

Nolan  Kelly,  of  the  black-face  song  and  dance  team  of  Sarony,  Waters 
and  Kelly,  also  Waters  and  Kelly,  died  in  London,  England,  April  15,  1893. 

Wm.  H.  Bryant  (O'Brien),  a  nephew  of  Dan,  Neil,,  Jerry  and  William  T. 
Bryant,  and  the  son  of  a  father  who  was  a  non-professional,  played  with  Neil 
Bryant's  Minstrels  in  1878;  he  was  a  comedian. 

He  died  in  Portland,  Me.,  April  29,  1890;  age  38  years. 

Emil  Ames.  This  clever  performer  was  of  diminutive  stature,  and  a  good 
comedian.  He  was  with  Jerry  Thomas'  Minstrels  in  1878,  and  with  Hav- 
erly  in  Chicago  a  few  years  later,  also  other  prominent  organizations. 

Emil  Ames  died  in  Chicago,  111.,  March  3,  1892. 

Billy  Richardson  won  fame  as  a  stump  speaker,  but  was  likewise  a  good 
end  man,  or  corner  man,  as  they  call  them  in  England,  where  Mr.  Richard- 
son's professional  career  was  chiefly  spent  as  a  member  of  Sam  Hague's 
Minstrels.  He  came  to  the  United  States  with  the  latter  organization,  and 
made  his  first  New  York  appearance  January  2,  1882. 

The  following  year  he  was  with  Haverly's  Minstrels;  subsequently  he 
returned  to  his  native  land. 

He  married  Miss  Mary  O'Hagan,  May  17,  1871. 

Billy  Richardson  was  born  in  England  about  fifty-five  years  ago,  maybe 
sixty ;  we  hope  it  is  no  worse. 

The  Devere  Bros,  joined  hands  about  1876,  and  up  to  the  time  of  Tommy 
Devere's  death  played  the  principal  variety  theatres ;  William  Devere  then 
joined  Robert  Wilson,  appearing  as  Devere  and  Wilson ;  after  a  brief  season 
William  Devere  joined  George  DeVere,  and  as  the  Devere  Brothers  con- 
tinued until  December  2,  1882,  William  Devere  then  taking  the  business 
management  of  the  National  Theatre  in  Hackensack,  N.  J.  • 

William  Devere  (Bell)  died  in  New  York  City,  December  14,  1882. 

Tommy  Devere  (Braun),  died  in  New  York  City,  April  2,  1880;  age  24 
years. 

Charley  Atkins,  who  has  long  since  retired  from  active  theatricals,  and 
embarked  in  mercantile  pursuits  in  New  York  City,  was  once  the  partner  of 
Joe  Fox,  of  Fox  and  Ward ;  this  was  in  the  late  6o's ;  though  Mr.  Atkins 
doesn't  look  it. 

"CiNCiNNATUs"  (Michael  O'Connor),  one  of  the  best  neat  song  and  dance 


222  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

men  in  minstrelsy,  began  life  as  a  newsboy  in  Cincinnati.  He  was  a  regular 
attendant  of  Newcomb's  Minstrels  in  the  Queen  City ;  it  was  here  that  he 
first  saw  Billy  Emerson,  and  at  once  became  an  ardent  admirer  of  him. 
Young  O'Connor  attracted  the  attention  of  manager  W.  W.  Newcomb,  who 
gave  him  an  opportunity  to  appear,  which  he  did  week  of  October  12,  1868, 
under  his  own  name,  as  a  jig  dancer,  but  taking  that  of  "Cincinnatus"  in  the 
songs  and  dances. 

"Cincinnatus"  made  no  secret  of  the  fact  that  he  imitated  Emerson, 
which  he  did  with  great  fidelity.  He  soon  attained  great  popularity  in  the 
West.  His  next  engagement  was  with  Lewis  and  Murphy's  Minstrels, 
opening  at  St.  Louis,  July  24,  1869. 

His  first  New  York  appearance  was  with  Newcomb  and  Arlington's 
Minstrels,  April  17,  1871. 

May  5,  1873,  the  "Cincinnatus"  Minstrels  took  the  road  for  a  brief  period, 
opening  at  Xenia,  Ohio.  April  15,  1878,  he  formed  an  alliance  with  John 
Hogan,  and  as  Hogan  and  "Cincinnatus"  they  made  their  first  appearance  at 
the  London  Theatre,  New  York. 

"Cincinnatus"  died  at  Xenia,  Ohio,  April  25,  1882. 

Booker  and  Canfield  constituted  one  of  the  truly  great  song  and  dance 
teams  of  minstrelsy.  Both  performers  were  short  in  stature,  and  each  began 
their  careers  in  the  circus  business. 

In  1871  they  formed  a  partnership,  doing  an  acrobatic  song  and  dance, 
subsequently  they  went  to  South  America  with  Chiarini's  Circus ;  returning 
to  the  LInited  States  they  became  members  of  Cal.  Wagner's  Minstrels, 
where  they  were  a  sensation. 

Their  success  was  so  great  that  several  mangers  competed  for  their 
services ;  J.  H.  Haverly  was  the  lucky  bidder,  and  they  joined  his  company 
in  December,  1873,  remaining  five  years  at  probably  the  highest  salary  ever 
given  a  song  and  dance  team,  viz :  $300.00  per  week,  and  5  per  cent,  of  the 
net  profits,  it  is  said. 

Other  prominent  organizations  they  were  associated  with  were — Emer- 
son's, in  Chicago,  Welch,  Hughes  and  White  in  Brooklyn,  and  Moore  and 
Burgess  in  London,  England. 

They  are  credited  with  being  the  first  black-face  team  to  play  in  Paris, 
France,  where  they  sang  "Moonlight  in  Cape  May"  in  French ;  subsequently 
they  played  in  Berlin,  Hamburg,  Vienna  and  Madrid,  singing  the  same  song 
in  the  language  of  the  respective  countries. 

They  also  plaj'ed  engagements  in  India,  China,  Japan,  Java  and  Aus- 
tralia. 

Returning  to  this  country  in  1881,  they  organized  their  own  company, 
and  in  May,  1882,  the  long  partnership  ceased. 

Mr.  Canfield  was  identified  for  many  years  with  the  famous  Hoyt  farces, 
and  was  co-star  with  George  Richards  in  these  plays  for  several  seasons. 
His  last  engagement  was  with  David  Warfield  in  "The  Auctioneer."  He 
was  a  brother  of  John  Canfield,  of  the  vaudeville  team  of  Canfield  and  Carleton. 

Harry  Booker  did  an  act  with  George  A.  Booker  (Dingle),  after  leav- 
ing Mr.  Canfield,  and  at  the  present  time  is  in  vaudeville. 

Eugene  Canfield  (Francis  Ramie  Canfield),  was  born  in  Utica,  N.  Y., 
May  3,  185 1 ;  he  died  in  New  York  City,  May  4,  1904. 


FROM  "DADDY-  RICE  TO  DATE.  223 

Harry  Booker  (M.  H.  Egan),  was  born  near  Bowling  Green,  Ky.,  July 
28,  1850. 

John  Turner,  a  good  song  and  dance  performer,  at  various  times  was 
associated  with  Billy  Lester  and  James  Roche  in  black-face  specialties;  he 
was  also  of  the  team  of  Cummings  and  Turner. 

He  died  at  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  November  26,  1877;  age  27  years. 

The  Barlow  Brothers  were  one  of  the  best-known  song  and  dance  teams 
in  minstrelsy.  In  1867  they  were  performing  at  the  Bowery  Theatre,  New  York 
City. 

In  1871  they  were  with  Morris  Brothers  Minstrels,  closing  February  3, 
1872 ;  in  September,  the  following  year,  they  joined  Simmons  and  Slocum's 
Minstrels  in  Philadelphia ;  they  did  a  plantation  song  and  dance  turn  there 
which  they  called  "Quit  Dat":  perhaps  most  of  us  picture  that  act.  April 
10,  1877,  at  Cynthiana,  Ky.,  saw  the  first  performance  of  Barlow  Brothers 
Minstrels,  an  organization  that  toured  the  country  for  about  fifteen  3'ears. 

The  Barlow  Brothers  were  with  Harrigan  and  Hart's  Company  in  1882; 
their  last  joint  minstrel  engagement  was  with  Ed.  Bartlett's  California  Min- 
strels, November  and   December,   1898. 

The  following  season  brother  Bill  put  in  at  Dumont's  Minstrels  in  Phila- 
delphia, where  he  did  an  act  with  that  "prince  of  pianists,"  Tom  Waters. 

James  Barlow  (Arthur),  was  born  at  Mount  Savanage,  Md. ;  he  died  at 
Roscoe,  Pa.,  August  4,  1900;  age  51  years. 

William  Barlow  (Arthur),  is  at  present  in  retirement  in  Pittsburgh,  Pa. 

Billy  Arnold  (Wm.  Henry  Garrett  Arnold)  made  his  first  appearance  at 
the  Louisville,  Kentucky  Opera  House,  doing  a  sand  jig  dance  at  the  tender 
age  of  eight  years,  and  says  he  has  been  dancing  ever  since — with  occasional 
interruptions  for  food  and  sleep. 

About  1865  he  doubled  with  his  brother  Amos,  doing  songs  and  dances; 
and  in  1873,  the  alliance  was  further  strengthened  by  the  addition  of  the 
youngest  brother,  Frank,  being  known  as  the  Three  Arnold  Brothers ;  Eu- 
gene Stratton  became  the  fourth  "brother"  a  few  years  later,  and  together 
they  played  the  principal  variety  companies  of  the  country. 

The  three  Arnolds  were  with  the  original  Haverly's  Mastodons  at  the 
opening  at  the  Adelphi  Theatre,  Chicago,  October  21,  1878;  later  Billy  Ar- 
nold's own  minstrels  took  the  road,  and  he  has  been  with  several  prominent 
organizations  since,  notably  Hooley's  Minstrels  in  1881,  and  Billy  Rice  and 
Hooley's  Minstrels  in  1882. 

Billy  Arnold  is  best  known  to  the  public  as  a  great  tambourine  minipu- 
lator,  and  was  the  acknowledged  champion  as  early  as  1877 ;  his  feat  of  spin- 
ning two  tambourines  at  one  time  was  invariably  encored  during  the  over- 
ture on  the  first  part. 

Some  years  ago  Mr.  Arnold  married  Lida  Gardner,  daughter  of  the 
famous  Dan  Gardner.     Both  are  actively  engaged  in  their  profession. 

Billy  Arnold  was  born  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  July  10,  1850. 

Amos  D.  Arnold  began  as  a  black-face  performer  with  his  brother  Billy, 
singing  "Sally  Come  Up"  at  the  age  of  ten;  most  of  his  career  was  in  con- 
junction with  his  two  brothers. 


224  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

He  was  born  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  February  28,  1855 ;  died  at  San  Fran- 
cisco, Cal.,  March  16,  1886. 

Frank  Arnold  (Francisco  Virello  Fortinetti  Arnold)  could  dance  from 
the  time  he  reached  his  seventh  year.  His  first  professional  appearance  in 
conjunction  with  his  two  brothers  was  made  at  Mortimer's  Varieties  (the 
present  National  Theatre),  Philadelphia,  in  "The  Old  Man's  Drunk  Again," 
a  well-known  vehicle  for  many  prominent  black-face  performers ;  this  was  in 
1873,  and  with  his  brothers  they  likewise  met  with  great  success.  In  1875 
the  three  brothers  played  an  engagement  of  seven  months  at  585  Broadway, 
New  York  City. 

Frank  Arnold  was  born  in  Louisville,  Ky.,  June  28,  1858;  he  died  at  Den- 
ver, Colo.,  January  22,  1892. 

Lewis  H.  Davis  made  his  first  appearance  about  1867  with  the  late  Richard 
Golden,  doing  black-face  songs  and  dances ;  they  were  billed  as  Masters  Lew 
and  Dick.  Their  first  engagement  was  with  Wheeler's  Liternational  Circus, 
following  this  they  were  with  Smith,  Davenport  and  Golden's  Variety  Com- 
pany. Early  in  1868  Allie's  Mexican  Knife  Throwers  Company  claimed  their 
services,  and  part  of  the  season  of  1869-70  they  played  an  engagement  with 
Sam  Sharpley's  Minstrels.  Later  with  Golden  he  joined  and  did  songs  and  dances 
with  Bob  Birdue. 

After  this  and  until  his  untimely  death,  which  occurred  in  the  dressing- 
room  just  prior  to  the  performance,  he  was  associated  with  Billy  Chace,  and 
as  Chace  and  Davis  they  played  the  principal  variety  houses  of  the  country, 
also  an  engagement  with  Sweet  and  Thornton's  Lady  Minstrels,  in  the 
Spring  of  1875. 

Lewis  H.  Davis  was  born  in  Bangor,  Me. ;  he  died  (suicide)  at  St.  Johns, 
N.  B.,  August  3,  1878. 

Billy  Barry,  one  of  the  funniest  Irish  comedians  our  stage  has  ever  known, 
did  black-face  business  for  many  years  before  "McKenna's  Flirtation"  with 
Mary  Ellen  Ryan. 

He  was  with  Haverly's  Minstrels  in  1868,  leaving  that  organization  on 
December  8.  that  year. 

September  12,  1870,  he  opened  with  Welch,  Hughes  and  White's  Min- 
strels in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  being  billed  as  the  "Great  Western  Comedian," 
subsequently  he  played  an  engagement  with  Simmons  and  Slocum's  Min- 
strels in  Philadelphia.  And  for  several  seasons  at  Pastor's  Theatre  in  New 
York  City,  he  played  black-face  parts  in  the  stock. 

Mr.  Barry  was  married  to  Miss  Fanny  Fordham,  and  at  the  time  of  his 
death  was  survived  by  seven  children — Lydia,  Emma,  Clara,  Robert,  Frank, 
Charles  and  William  J. 

Billy  Barry  was  born  in  Ireland ;  he  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  April  15, 
1898;  age  48  years. 

Billy  Diamond  (Bates),  a  good  general  performer,  was  connected  with 
several  of  the  older  minstrel  organizations,  notably  the  Morris  Brothers,  with 
whom  he  made  his  first  appearance  in  his  native  city  at  the  age  of  10. 

In  1881  he  married  Minnie  Blaich,  at  Newark,  N.  J. 

He  died  at  Boston,  Mass.,  January  14,  1893. 


226  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Bobby  McGown  was  a  first-class  clog  dancer,  and  was  the  first  partner  of 
George  Primrose,  whom  he  joined  in  E.  Saginaw,  Mich.,  about  1870.  With 
Primrose  he  played  the  variety  houses,  and  an  engagement  with  O'Brien's 
Circus. 

He  died  (drowned),  at  Holyoke,  Mass.,  August  22,  1875. 

Archie  White  (Moak),  known  to  patrons  of  minstrelsy  for  over  forty 
years,  began  his  professional  career  in  the  late  6o's,  and  early  'took  as  a  part- 
ner, Frank  White,  of  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  with  whom  he  did  double  songs  and 
dances ;  later  they  formed  an  amateur  minstrel  show,  visiting  nearby  towns. 
His  first  regular  engagement  was  with  the  Park  Theatre  Company  of  Brook- 
lyn, N.  Y. ;  it  lasted  one  consecutive  week. 

In  1870  he  became  a  member  of  Blaisdell  Brothers  and  Courtright's  Min- 
strels, opening  at  Portage  City,  Wis. ;  it  was  with  this  company  that  chance 
gave  him  an  opportunity  to  do  an  "end";  and  he  did  it  well :  this  engagement 
lasted  thirteen  months.  Next  came  a  series  of  variety  engagements.  In 
1873  he  became  a  "member"  of  the  famous  Peak  Family  of  Bell  Ringers,  do- 
ing a  genteel  song  and  dance. 

His  next  prominent  engagement  was  with  Harry  Robinson's  Minstrels; 
with  this  company  he  formed  a  partnership  with  the  late  Charles  T.  Ellis, 
of  "Casper,  the  Yodler"  fame.  After  this  Mr.  White  played  variety  theatres 
for  two  years,  then  a  short  trip  with  one  of  Haverly's  Minstrel  companies. 

After  Lew  Benedict  withdrew  from  the  Duprez  and  Benedict  organiza- 
tion, Mr.  Duprez,  who  continued  to  use  the  trade-mark,  chose  Mr.  White  as 
his  late  partner's  successor ;  he  joined  the  company  at  Scranton,  Pa.,  Sep- 
tember 17,  1877,  and  remained  eight  years. 

Of  late  years  Mr.  White  has  been  successful  in  rural  drama,  appearing 
in  the  plays  "Joshua  Simpkins"  and  "Uncle  Josh,  in  Chinatown." 

At  the  present  time  he  is  actively  engaged  in  vaudeville,  giving  his  old 
darky  delineations,  of  which  he  is  a  master. 

In  the  early  minstrel  days  Mr.  White  ranked  high  as  a  tambourine  ma- 
nipulator. 

Archie  White  was  born  in  Cherry  Valley,  N.  Y.,  January  20,  1850. 

Press  Eldredge  (Preston  W.  Eldredge),  whose  sobriquet  of  "The  Com- 
mander-in-Chief of  the  Army,  of  Fun"  is  known  wherever  the  vaudeville  lan- 
guage is  spoken,  began  his  stage  career  at  the  New  Bowery  Theatre  in  1863, 
at  a  benefit  for  J.  W.  Lingard ;  his  offering  was  "Johnny  Schmoker,"  in  Dutch 
dialect. 

His  black-face  career  dates  from  1876,  at  which  time  he  entered  the 
variety  business,  doing  a  monologue  successfully  for  two  years.  In  1878  he 
made  his  first  minstrel  appearance  with  Harry  Bloodgood's  Minstrels,  doing 
an  "end,"  and  as  comedian,  the  tour  was  a  brief  one,  and  returning  to  New 
York  he  resumed  his  variety  engagements  until  1880,  vvhen  he  joined  Snell- 
baker  and  Benton's  Majestic  Consolidation,  under  canvas.  In  1881  he  opened 
the  American  Theatre,  New  Haven,  Conn.,  as  a  variety  house,  remaining 
until  January,  1886,  when  he  went  to  Koster  &  Bial's,  23rd  Street  Music  Hall, 
New  York  City,  as  stage  manager  and  producer.  In  November,  the  same 
year,  he  made  his  initial  bow  at  Carncross'  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  and 
continued  there  until  April,  1891,  at  which  time  he  went  to  Moore  and  Bur- 


FROM  -DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  227 

gess'  Minstrels  in  London,  England,  and  played  a  year's  engagement.  In 
May,  1892,  he  joined  Haverly's  Home  Minstrels  in  Chicago,  and  stayed  there 
until  the  company  went  on  tour  in  November,  1893. 

Then  came  a  riotous  round  of  vaudeville,  solid  until  1906,  when  Al.  G. 
Field  showed  him  a  handsome  parade  suit  and  the  diagram  of  the  Field  pri- 
vate car — and  something  else  and — well,  the  season  of  1906 — and  1907,  saw 
Mr.  Eldridge  back  among  11.45  ^oy^  for  a  period  of  about  ten  months;  since 
then,  vaudeville.  Mr.  Eldridge  was  married  some  years  ago  to  Louise  San- 
ford,  from  whom  he  subsequently  separated. 

Press  Eldridge  was  born  in  Philadelphia ;  guess  when. 

Geor(;e  HoR.\,  was  sometimes  called  "Eph.  Horn.  Jr."  He  was  a  comedian 
and  very  well  known  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  died  June  28,  1904. 

Burt  Shep,\rd,  recognized  as  a  clever  female  impersonator  in  his  early 
career,  commenced  professionally  with  Haverly's  New  Orleans  Minstrels 
about  1874,  and  continued  with  them  three  years.  In  1878  he  became  a  mem- 
ber of  Sweatnam's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  and  at  the  close  of  the  season 
joined  Billy  Emerson  and  the  Big  4  Minstrels;  season  of  1879  and  1880  was 
spent  with  Carncross'  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia;  he  then  joined  the  Thatcher, 
Primrose  and  West  Company,  and  was  with  them  practically  from  their  in- 
ception to  their  dissolution ;  later  he  was  identified  with  Thatcher  and  Rich 
and  Harris'  "Tuxedo"  for  two  seasons. 

1892-93  saw  Shepard  and  Billy  Rice's  IMinstrels,  while  a  year  later  Burt 
Shepard's  Modern  Minstrels  took  the  field. 

In  1895  Mr.  Shepard  was  with  Cleveland's  Minstrels,  where  he  officiated 
in  the  middle,  in  addition  to  doing  a  black-face  specialty ;  season  of  1896-97 
was  devoted  to  vaudeville.  In  1897  he  went  to  England,  and  subsequently  to 
Paris ;  South  Africa  and  Australia,  all  the  time  meeting  with  unqualified  suc- 
cess with  his  monologue  and  parodies  at  the  piano. 

Burt  Shepard  was  born;  of  that  I  am  sure,  but  just  when  or  where,  he 
neglected  to  state. 

Fred  B.  M.xlcglm,  the  "male  soprano,"  and  an  exceedingly  clever  one.  was  a 
protege  of  the  late  Jessie  Bartlett  Davis,  and  acquired  his  early  musical  edu- 
cation from  E.  L.  Bartlett,  father  of  Mrs.  Davis. 

His  professional  career  began  with  the  Bartlett  Sister's  Concert  Com- 
pany, which  was  brought  to  a  sudden  termination  by  the  death  of  Miss  Ara- 
bella Bartlett.     Two  years  were  then  spent- in  variety  theatres. 

His  first  appearance  in  female  make-up  was  at  the  Queen's  Theatre,  Tor- 
onto, Canada.  Later  he  was  engaged  by  J.  H.  Haverly  for  the  latter's  new 
"Mastodons,"  with  whom  he  played  for  three  seasons  :  after  the  consolidation 
of  the  two  companies  (Haverly's),  Mr.  Malcolm  continued  with  Mr.  Haverly 
for  nine  months :  a  record  of  which  to  be  proud. 

An  engagement  of  three  years  with  Billy  Emerson's  Minstrels  in  San 
Francisco  followed  ;  during  this  time  Mr.  Malcolm  was  away  from  the  com- 
pany but  four  weeks. 

A  return  engagement  with  Haverly,  opening  at  the  Drury  Lane  Theatre, 
London,  England,  May  31,  1884,  and  continuing  as  a  member  of  that  organi- 
zation for  one  year,  followed.     Returning  to  America,  Mr.  Malcolm  remained 


228  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

with  Air.  Haverly  until  the  latter  sold  out  to  W.  S.  Cleveland.  He  became 
a  member  of  iMcNish,  Johnson  and  Slavin's  Minstrels  in  1886,  and  continued 
with  them  until  the  dissolution  of  the  organization,  about  May,  1888;  subse- 
quently joining  Johnson  and  Slavin's  Minstrels. 

Since  that  time  ^Ir.  Malcolm  did  concert  w^ork  chiefly.  In  his  early 
career  he  did  a  specialty  in  the  leading  variety  theatres  with  the  late  Arthur 
Doty. 

Fred  B.  Malcolm  was  born  near  Morris,  111. ;  he  died  in  Chicago,  111., 
April  3,  1910. 

Frank  H.  White  began  his  professional  career  as  a  member  of  the  Aeolian 
Quartette  in  his  native  city  in  1871,  and  continued  with  them  for  seven  years. 

He  married  in  1879,  ^"d  as  Frank  H.  and  Lillian  White  they  played 
variety  engagements  until  about   1891,  when  they  separated. 

He  played  black-face  parts  in  dramatic  companies  for  a  while,  and 
about  fifteen  or  eighteen  years  ago  was  with   Lew  Dockstader's  Minstrels. 

A  few  years  ago  he  joined  Lew  Simmons  in  an  old-time  black-face  act, 
with  whom  he  is  still  associated. 

Mr.  White  is  a  great  delineator  of  the  scary  coon. 

Frank  H.  White  was  born  in  Newark,  N.  J. 

Richard  Magee,  Jr.,  well  known  as  a  vocalist  in  Philadelphia,  joined  Sim- 
mons and  Slocum's  Minstrels  in  that  city  late  in  December,  1872,  terminat- 
ing his  engagement  April  5,  1873. 

He  died  February  27,  1880. 

"Memphis"  Kennedy,  a  well-known  black-face  performer,  who  did  a  unique 
musical  act,  was  with  Lew  Dockstader's  Minstrels  about  1893,  also  other 
well-known  companies. 

He  was  drowned  near  Hannibal  Mo.,  October  12,  1907. 

Bob  Height,  the  well-known  colored  comedian,  who  was  a  favorite  with  Sam 
Hague's  Minstrels  in  Liverpool,  England,  in  the  middle  70's,  died  in  Man- 
chester, England,  September  8,  1881. 

Burton  Stanley  was  famous  for  his  female  impersonations.  In  1875  he 
was  with  Haverly's  Minstrels;  September  2,  1879,  he  joined  a  dramatic 
organization  in  "Larks,"  and  a  few  months  later  was  traveling  with  Stan- 
ley's Juvenile  Company.  August  24,  1881,  he  opened  with  Brooks,  Dickson 
and  Clapham's  Minstrels;  the  tour  was  a  brief  one  and  in  November  follow- 
ing, Mr.  Stanley  joined  Leavitt's  Minstrels.  His  next  important  engage- 
ment was  with  Emerson's  Minstrels  in  San  Francisco ;  here  he  met  Gus 
Pixley,  later  forming  an  alliance,  playing  the  variety  houses  for  several  sea- 
sons. Mr.  Stanley  retired  from  the  profession  some  years  ago,  and  is  now 
a  prosperous  boniface  in  the  West. 

Harry  (Jas.  H.)  Armstrong  or  "Handsome  Harry"  (see  portrait)  as  he 
was  known,  began  his  professional  career  about  forty  years  ago,  and  only 
a  short  time  later  launched  Armstrong's  Constellation  Variety  Troupe  and 
Female  Minstrels. 


W.   W.    liLACK 


CHAS.   T.   WHITE 


JOHN    J.    BLUE 


JOE.    BROWN  JNO.     E.     GREEN 

HOW'S  THIS  FOR  A  COLOR  SCHEME? 


230  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

In  1874  he  was  with  Harry  Robinson's  Minstrels  and  the  following  year 
with  one  of  Leavitt's  attractions. 

In  the  fall  of  1879  he  joined  the  Big  Four  Minstrels,  and  in  1881  became 
a  member  of  Leavitt's  Minstrels.  1882  saw  him  with  Courtright  and  Haw- 
kin's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  and  the  following  season  he  was  with  Hav- 
erly's   Minstrels. 

Mr.  Armstrong  joined  Sweatnam,  Rice  and  Pagan's  Minstrels  in  1887 
for  the  season ;  in  1892  he  was  again  with  Haverly  at  the  latter's  perma- 
nent home  of  minstrelsy  in  Chicago;  at  this  house  he  did  acts  with  Harry 
Constantine,  the  female  impersonator. 

Harry  Armstrong  was  born  at  Wilmington,  Del.,  April  3,   1850. 

H.-VRRY  Shirley,  a  well-known  singer,  who  was  with  Emerson's  Minstrels 
in  San  Francisco  in  1881,  also  other  prominent  companies,  died  in  Los 
Angeles,  Cal.,  September  22,  1889. 

Otis  Bowers,  of  the  old  minstrel  firm  of  "Beach  and  Bowers"  Minstrels, 
when  last  heard  of  was  a  contented  resident  of  Maquoketa,  Iowa. 

After  six  months  of  constant  practice,  the  author  is  able  to  spell  and 
pronounce  properly  the  name  of  the  thriving  little  town  in  the  state  that 
produced  Bert  Leslie. 

H.\rry  Shay  (Shea)  was  a  well  known  and  capable  black-face  comedian 
and  general  performer.  He  had  been  associated  with  many  of  the  prominent 
variety  theatres  as  stock  comedian,  and  was  especially  a  favorite  in  Pater- 
son,  N.  J.,  where  he  died,  November  4,  1886. 

Hurley  and  Marr,  famous  for  many  years  in  their  black-face  songs  and 
dances,  formed  a  partnership  about  1869;  they  appeared  with  Hooley's  Min- 
strels in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  in  December  of  that  year. 

Subsetjuently  they  played  successful  engagements  with  Hooley  in  Chi- 
cago in  the  Fall  of  1872,  leaving  Hooley  to  join  Arlington,  Cotton  and  Kem- 
ble's  Minstrels,  in  the  same  city. 

They  also  appeared  with  Bryant's  in  New  York,  and  Simmons  and 
Slocum  in  Philadelphia. 

Mr.  Marr  later  separated  from  Hurley,  and  for  about  ten  years  worked 
with  his  brother  John,  as  the  Marr  Brothers. 

J.  Hurley  died  in  New  York,  July  22,  1886. 

Billy  Marr  was  born  in  New  York;  he  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  Decem- 
ber 13,  1892;  age  40  years. 

James  Holly,  of  the  once  well-known  and  favorite  black-face  song  and 
dance  team  of  Homer  and  Holly,  died  in  Memphis,  Tenn.,  January  17,  1891 ; 
age  40  years. 

Carroll  Johnson  (James  Carroll)  is  one  of  the  foremost  living  minstrels, 
and  is  justly  entitled  to  the  appellation  "Beau  Brummell"  of  minstrelsy ;  his 
costumes  and  acting  as  the  dandy  darky,  making  him  a  likely  prototype  in 
black  of  that  famous  personage. 


FROM  "DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  231 

Mr.  Johnson's  theatrical  career  began  at  the  Bowery  Theatre  in  New 
York,  about  1866,  doing  a  singing  and  dancing  specialty. 

He  played  the  usual  variety  engagements  until  November  i,  1869,  on 
which  date  he  joined  Newcomb's  Minstrels  in  Washington,  D.  C.  The  fol- 
lowing year,  September  5,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  George  Powers, 
doing  a  high  kicking  song  and  dance,  starting  with  Hooley's  Minstrels  in 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  when  that  company  opened  in  Chicago,  January  2,  1871, 
Mr.  Johnson  was  with  them,  and  continued  for  several  months. 

August  26,  1872,  he  opened  with  Birch,  Wambokl  and  Backus'  Min- 
strels in  New  York,  and  except  during  the  season  of  1874-75,  when  he  was 
with  Carncross  and  Di.xey's  jMinstrels  in  Philadelphia,  he  was  with  them 
until   1882. 

In  the  Summer  of  1880  he  played  a  brief  engagement  with  Moore  and 
Burgess'  Minstrels  in  London,  England.  Subsequently  he  played  engage- 
ments with  Courtright  and  Hawkin's  Minstrels,  in  Philadelphia;  Emer- 
son's, in  San  Francisco,  and  Haverly's  in  Chicago;  it  was  here  in  the  Sum- 
mer of  1883  that  Johnson  and  Powers  dissolved  partnership.  Mr.  Johnson 
later  played  with  Haverly,  in  Europe,  after  which  he  returned  to  America, 
and  with  Charley  Reed  gave  a  fine  minstrel  performance  in  San  Francisco, 
opening  August,  1884,  and  remaining  until  July  following: 

Cn  July  30,  1885,  he  became  one  of  the  proprietors  of  McNish,  John- 
son and  Slavin's  Minstrels,  opening  on  that  date  at  Paterson,  N.  J. ;  the 
organization  was  in  existence  for  three  seasons.  Johnson  and  Slavin's  Min- 
strels took  the  road  in  1888;  the  partnership  was  dissolved  in  June,  1889. 

September  g,  following,  Mr.  Johnson  began  a  starring  tour  in  white 
face,  appearing  in  "The  Fairy's  Well" ;  he  was  with  this  company  two  sea- 
sons, and  the  next  two  years  in  "The  Gossoon,"  and  the  "Irish  Statesman" 
respectively. 

In  1893  with  George  Thatcher  he  organized,  and  conducted,  for  two 
years  Thatcher  and  Johnson's  20th  Century  Minstrels. 

Three  years  in  vaudeville  in  black  and  white  face  was  followed  by  an 
engagement  with  the  \\illiam  H.  West  Company  of  the  Primrose  and 
West's  Minstrels,  there  being  two  companies  of  that  name  season  of  1897-98. 

Mr.  Johnson  joined  West's  Minstrels  in  I'SgS,  and  continued  until 
1900;  then  three  more  years  of  vaudeville,  followed  by  two  and  a  half  years 
with  Lew  Dockstader's  Minstrels. 

He  was  with  Dumont's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  season  1909-10. 
August  3,  1910,  he  began  an  engagement  with  Lew  Dockstader's  Minstrels 
for  the  season. 

Mr.  Johnson  was  married  in  Boston,  Mass.,  June  15,  1871,  and  lived 
happily  ever  after. 

Carroll  Johnson  was  born  in   Carlingford,   Ireland,   December   16,   1851. 

Tommy  Gr.\nger  the  "Prince  Jockey"  as  he  was  sometimes  called,  from  the 
fact  that  his  entrance  on  the  stage  was  made  on  a  coal  black  steed  arrayed 
in  Tod  Sloan  habiliments  (Granger,  not  the  horse)  began  "acting  up"  in 
1861,  doing  a  black-face  song  and  dance  at  an  exceedingly  tender  age,  and 
in  black  face:  this  was  in  Buffalo;  "Root  Hog  or  Die"  was  the  song  used 
on  this  auspicious  occasion. 

But  it  was  as  a  dancer  that  Mr.  Granger  gained  fame ;  and  his  "Raffle 


232  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

for  an  Eight  Day  Stove,"  is  recalled  by  many  a  theatre  goer  of  30  years  ago. 
His  first  minstrel  engagement  was  with  W.  W.  Newcomb  in  1865  ;  subse- 
quently he  allied  himself  with  such  well-known  companies  as  Simmons  and 
Slocum's  in  Philadelphia ;  Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West's  and  the  "Cali- 
fornia" Minstrels ;  his  last  engagement  with  a  minstrel  company  was  with 
the  Barlow  Brothers. 

Tom  Granger's  Georgia  Minstrels  in  1878  didn't  conflict  with  Haverly's 
Mastodons  of  the  same  year. 

Tommy  Granger  was  born  in  Kingston,  Canada,  August  9,  1851. 

John  McVickar  (Harrington),  one  of  the  original  "Bay  State  Boys,"  who 
did  a  good  clog  dancing  act,  made  his  first  appearance  as  a  member  of  that 
quartette  at  the  old  Howard  in  Boston,  Mass.,  September  13,  1869.  They 
played  with  the  Morris  Brother's  Minstrels,  also  with  Dougherty,  Wild, 
Barney  and  Mac's  Minstrels  in  the  Hub. 

The  four  disbanded  in  1871.  About  1883  Mr.  McVickar  went  to  Lo- 
throp's  Theatre  in  Boston,  as  manager,  later  going  to  the  Howard,  where  he 
continued  tmtil  about  1904. 

John  McVickar  died  in  Boston,  Mass.,  May  24,  1909. 

Seamon  S.  Pettitt  made  his  first  professional  appearance  at  the  age  of  nine 
years. 

His  first  partner  was  James  Sharpley ;  subsequently  with  Tommy 
Moore  they  worked  as  Masters  Tommy  and  Willie.  In  1871  Pettitt,  Phillips 
and  White  formed  an  alliance  which  continued  one  year,  after  which  Pettitt 
and  White  did  a  double  song  and  dance  untill  the  death  of  Mr.  Pettitt. 

He  had  been  with  Skiff  and  Gaylord's  Minstrels  and  other  well  known 
companies.  During  the  Summer  season  he  acted  as  singing  clown  in  the 
circus. 

Mr.  Pettitt  was  born  October  6,  185 1;  he  died  at  Taylorsville,  Pa., 
August  10,  1880. 

Tommy  Winnett  made  his  first  appearance  in  1864  at  the  Canterbury  Music 
Hall.  In  1866  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Charley  Holly,  and  as  Winnett  and 
Holly  they  continued  until  July  10,  1868. 

Mr.  Winnett  has  been  associated  with  the  following  well-known  min- 
strel companies —  "Campbell's";  Sam  Sanford's ;  Kunkel's  "Nightingale's";, 
Skiff  and  Gaylord's;  Hooley's,  in  Brooklyn,  and  Welch,  Hughes  and  White, 
same  city. 

Mr.  Winnett  won  a  medal  in  Mobile,  Ala.,  for  his  dancing,  and  a  silver 
cup  in   Memphis,  Tenn. 

For  twenty-five  years  he  traveled  with  his  wife,  as  Tom  and  Lottie  Win- 
nett. His  last  professional  appearance  was  in  Chicago,  at  the  Olympic 
Theatre,  in   1898. 

Tommy  Winnett  was  born  in  New  York,  May  25,  185 1. 

The  Gorman  Brothers,  or  the  three  Gorman  boys,  as  they  are  invariably 
spoken  of,  are  synonymous  with  all  that  is  best  in  minstrelsy ;  for  these  gen- 
tlemen had  the  schooling  on  the  variety  and  minstrel  stage  that  the  present 
generation  of  performers  never  may  hope  to  attain. 


w^'*'' 


IS 


iJI 


TOMMY    CETTIXGS 


DICK     SI. ITER 


UII.LV    ALLEN 


MIKE   KANANE 


BOBBY    NEWCOMB 


A^ 


BILLY    SHEPPARD 


#^ 

^<^          i  i 

^    ^ 

{    ,  .„     ![ 

1 

WASH.    NORTON 


TIM.    HAYES 


WALLY   THOMAS 


DAISY  DANCERS  OF  MANY  DECADES. 


234  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Gifted  with  natural  talents  that  place  them  on  the  hip;hest  plane  in  their 
profession,  they  used  these  to  the  best  advantage,  and  thus  hold  the  envi- 
able positions  they  occupy  to-day. 

James  Gorman,  or  "Jim"  as  we  all  love  to  call  him,  was  the  first  of  the 
trio  to  make  his  professional  entre',  which  he  did  with  Hooley's  Minstrels 
in  the  Williamsburg  section  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  the  theatre  is  now  known 
as  the  Novelty ;  the  date,  February,   1869. 

Mr.  Gorman's  salary  was  seventy-five  cents  per  night,  most  of  which  he 
has  since  squandered. 

In  1872  brother  John  joined  brother  Jim,  and  as  the  Gorman  Brothers 
made  their  first  joint  appearance  at  the  Bowery  Theatre,  in  New  York. 

Three  years  later  little  Georgie  joined  his  brothers,  then  and  there  cre- 
ating a  trade-mark  which  subsequently  became  prominent  all  over  the 
country. 

Several  years  were  spent  in  the  principal  variety  houses,  and  on  Octo- 
ber 21,  1878,  at  the  Adelphi  Theatre  in  Chicago,  they  made  their  appearance 
with  the  newly  organized  Haverly's  Mastodon 'Minstrels,  at  the  initial  per- 
formance of  that  famous  organization. 

The  brothers  continued  with  Haverly  mostly  until  1883,  when  in  conjunction 
with  Gorton's  Minstrels,  Gorman  Bros.'  Royal  Pantomime  Company  toured 
the  country  for  several  months. 

In  the  Summer  of  1884  they  rejoined  Haverly  at  the  Drury  Lane  Thea- 
tre, London,  England,  playing  there  ten  weeks;  after  which  they  made  a  tour 
of  the  provinces,  and  returned  to  the  United  States,  opening  in  Cincinnati, 
Ohio,  at  Heuck's  Opera  House,  March  18,  1885. 

They  remained  under  the  Haverly  banner  until  they  organized  their  own 
company,  the  Gorman  Bros.'  Minstrels,  giving  their  first  performance 
August  24,  1887;  they  continued  as  an  organization  for  six  consecutive  sea- 
sons. 

In  1893  they  played  with  Primrose  and  West's  "Monte  Carlo"  Com- 
pany. The  "boys"  next  appeared  with  the  "Gilhooley's  Abroad,"  as  the 
vehicle  for  their  talents ;  they  continued  with  this  for  three  seasons. 

Subsequently  they  produced  "]\Ir.  Beane,  from  Boston,"  which  ran  for 
two  seasons. 

In  August,  1906,  the  Gorman  Brother's  Minstrels  again  took  the  field, 
but  owing  to  gross  mismanagement,  did  not  continue  as  long  as  the  artistic 
merits  of  the  organization  justified  it  in  doing.  As  a  production,  this  com- 
pany was  an  event  in  minstrelsy. 

We  are  wont  to  speak  of  the  Gormans  as  dancers ;  and  of  James,  as  a 
producer;  but  the  versatility  of  these  "youths"  know  no  bounds. 

John  and  George  are  comedians  of  high  degree,  as  attested  by  their 
success  with  Marie  Dressier,  in  "Tillie's  Nightmare"  at  the  Herald  Square 
Theatre.  New  York,  during  the  Summer  of  1910;  and  they  have  many  other 
successes  to  their  credit. 

George  Gorman  is  conceded  to  be  one  of  the  world's  greatest  dancers. 
And  John,  the  altitudinous  one,  excels  as  a  character  comedian.  Such  in 
brief,  are  the  careers  of  the  "Gentlemanly  Gormans." 

James  Gorman  was  born  in  New  York  City,  August  23,  1852. 
John  Gorman  was  born  in  New  York  City,  November  4,  1855. 
George  Gorman  was  born  in  New  York  City,  December  16,  1864. 


FROM  "DADDY-  RICE  TO  DATE.  235 

Wm.  F.  Holmes,  the  favorite  baritone  vocalist,  began  his  professional  career 
at  an  early  age  with  the  Caroline  Richings  Troupe. 

He  was  with  several  prominent  minstrel  companies,  notably  Thatcher 
and  Ryman  in  Philadelphia  in  1881,  and  McNish,  Johnson  and  Slavin's,  with 
whom  he  was  at  the  time  of  his  death  in  Boston,  Mass.,  December  10,  1886. 
He  was  34  years  of  age. 

Charles  Brickwood  (Brickett),  well  known  as  a  comedian  and  banjoist, 
entered  the  profession  about  1875.  He  had  been  successfully  identified  with 
the  minstrel  companies  of  Whitmore  and  Clark's ;  I.  W.  Baird's  and  George 
Irving's  California  Minstrels.  In  1878  he  was  with  Washburn's  Last  Sen- 
sation. 

For  several  years  he  had  played  Uncle  Tom  in  a  most  acceptable  man- 
ner :  he  had  likewise  played  Marks,  also  in  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin."  Mr. 
Brickwood  was  a  brother  of  the  late  Mayor  of  Haverhill,  Alass.,  and  a  man 
of  unusual  intelligence.  Charles  Brickwood  died  at  Haverhill,  Mass.,  Octo- 
ber 22,  1900;  age  48  years. 

Everett  Weslyn  joined  Frank  Casey  about  1872  in  a  musical  act,  and  con- 
tinued with  him  until  his  (Weslyn's)  death. 

He  was  with  Carncross  and  Dixey's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  in  1877 ; 
subsequently  with  Haverly's  Mastodons. 

He  died  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  November  8,  1879;  age  27  years. 

Fox  AND  Ward — To  Fox  and  Ward  belong  the  enviable  distinction  of  hav- 
ing existed  as  partners  (perhaps  we  should  say  theatrical  associates),  for  a 
longer  period  than  that  of  any  other  team ;  active  partners  is  the  terrn 
meant.     Their  initial  joint  appearance  was  in  Cincinnati  in  1868. 

Early  in  1870  they  played  their  first  minstrel  engagement  with  Dan 
Shelby's  Company,  and  the  same  year  they  joined  Duprez  and  Benedict's 
Minstrels,  and  were  features  of  this  famous  organization  until  1879,  when 
they  joined   Barlow,   Wilson,   Primrose  and  West's   Minstrels. 

Subsequently  they  were  with  the  Skiff  and  Gaylord  Company,  and  in 
September,  1882,  Fox  and  Ward's  Minstrels  m.ade  their  first  appearance. 

In  1884  they  were  members  of  Haverly's  Minstrels. 

In  1886  they  played  with  Lester  and  Allen's  Minstrels,  and  two  years 
later  returned  to  Haverly. 

In    1890  they  traveled   with   George  Arlington's   Minstrels. 

Fox  and  Ward  eschewed  minstrelsy  for  several  years,  when  in  1897 
th^y  played  their  third  engagement  with  Haverly. 

Again  deserting  their  burnt  cork  friends,  they  played  vaudeville  and 
combination  dates  for  a  few  seasons.  They  joined  Dumont's  Minstrels  in 
Philadelphia  in  1905,  and  the  major  portion  of  the  intervening  time  has  been 
since  spent  with  that  notable  organization. 

Joseph  Fox  (Monahan),  was  born  in  Ogdensburg,  N.  Y.,  May  7.  1852. 

William  H.  Ward  (Marvin  Morton  Mallison),  was  born  in  Canandai- 
gua,  N.  Y.,  September  17,  1852. 


Did  it  ever  occur  to  you  that  of  the  many  minstrel  companies  of  the 


236  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

past  in  which  two  or  more  headed  the  organization,  the  last  named  member 
of  the  alliance  was  the  first  to  pass  away? 

For  example,  Skiff  and  Gaylord ;  Low.  Gaylord  was  the  first  to  die — 
there  are  about  thirty  other  such  instances. 


« 


George  H.  Primrose  (Delaney),  in  addition  to  being  one  of  the  most  grace- 
ful dancers  in  the  profession,  is  concededly  one  of  its  best  business  men ;  a 
rare  combination  in  theatrical  history. 

Mr.  Primrose's  career  began  about  1867  in  Detroit,  Mich.,  with  Mc- 
Farland's  Minstrels,  at  which  time  he  was  billed  as  Master  Georgie,  the 
infant  clog  dancer ;  subsequently  he  joined  the  New  Orleans  Minstrels. 

In  the  Summer  of  1871  he  went  to  Smith's  Opera  House,  Saginaw, 
Mich. ;  here  he  met  and  formed  a  partnership  with  Bobby  McGown,  and 
shortly  afterwards  they  joined  O'Brien's  Circus,  where  they  performed  a 
double  clog  in  the  concert ;  at  the  end  of  the  tent  season,  Primrose  and  Mc- 
Gown dissolved  partnership,  and  Mr.  Primrose  went  with  Skiff  and  Gay- 
lord's  Minstrels;  it  was  here  he  first  met  William  H.  West;  late  in  1871. 
A  few  months  later  they  formed  a  partnership  that  continued  about  thirty 
years. 

About  May  i,  1873,  Mr.  Primrose  and  his  new  partner  joined  O'Brien's 
Circus,  again  playing  in  the  concerts ;  a  little  later  they  played  their  first 
joint  minstrel  engagement  with  Simmons  and  Slocum  in  Philadelphia,  clos- 
ing with  them  in  the  Spring  of  1874.  That  same  year,  November  20,  they 
made  their  initial  appearance  with  Haverly's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ; 
continuing  with  them  until  June  14,  1877 ;  two  months  later  Barlow,  Wil- 
son, Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels  gave  their  first  performance ;  this  was  a 
grand  organization ;  it  continued  until  the  Summer  of  1882. 

In  conjunction  with  George  Thatcher,  Mr.  Primrose  and  his  partner 
organized  Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels  at  Elmira,  N.  Y., 
August  3,  1882 ;  this  alliance  was  dissolved  at  the  conclusion  of  the  season 
of  1888-89.  In  the  Summer  of  1889,  Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels  made 
their  initial  bow  and  continued  as  an  organization  until  April  30,  1898,  when 
at  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  the  long  partnership  that  existed  between  Primrose 
and  West  dissolved. 

Season  of  1897-98,  Mr.  Primrose  headed  one  minstrel  company,  while  Mr. 
West  piloted  another  ;  both  companies  being  under  their  joint  management. 

Beginning  in  1898,  and  continuing  until  the  Spring  of  1903,  Mr.  Prim- 
rose and  Lew  Dockstader  joined  forces,  and  Primrose  and  Dockstader's  com- 
pany was  the  premier  minstrel  organization  until  the  Spring  of  1903. 

Since  that  period  Mr.  Primrose  has  headed  his  own  organization,  with 
an  occasional  season  in  vaudeville.  ' 

On  August  2,  1879,  Mr.  Primrose  married  Miss  Emma  Catlin,  at  Buf- 
falo, N.  Y.  The  first  Mrs.  Primrose  died  some  years  ago.  On  April  24, 
1904,  he  married  Miss  Esther  Nerney,  at  Mount  Vernon,  N.  Y. 

George  H.  Primrose  was  born  in  London,  Canada,  November  12,  1852. 

J.  Marcus  Doyle,  the  accomplished  dancer,  producer  and  comedian,  made 
his  first  appearance  at  a  concert  hall  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  as  boy,  in  the  middle 
6o's,  subsequently  joining  a  circus,  and  later  forming  one  of  the  team  of 
Baker  and  D'oyle. 


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2.38  ■     MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

His  best  work  was  done  in  minstrelsy,  and  he  was  identified  with  such 
organizations  as  Barlow,  Wilson,  Primrose  and  West's;  Hi  Henry's;  Cleve- 
land's and  Barlow  Brothers. 

About  1896  he  joined  the  May  Russell  Burlesque  Company. 

J.  Marcus  Doyle  was  born  in  Elyria,  Ohio ;  he  died  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y., 
December  23,  1899;  age  47  years. 

Harry  Woodso>5  (John  Archer  Shields),  considered  by  many  as  the  greatest 
delineator  of  the  "aged  darky"  that  the  stage  ever  knew,  began  his  profes- 
sional career  as  an  amateur  in  his  native  city.  His  first  professional  engage- 
ment was  with  the  Buckley  and  Morris  Minstrels  singing  in  character  "Old 
Black  Joe." 

September  2,  1878,  he  began  an  engagement  at  Carncross'  Minstrels  in 
Philadelphia,  and  in  the  Spring  of  1881  he  played  another  engagement  in 
the  same  city  with  Thatcher  &  Ryman's  Minstrels.  Commencing  in  1880  he 
was  one  of  the  proprietors  of  Woodson  and  Allen's  Minstrels,  which  made 
tours  oflf  and  on  until  October  28,  1883,  when  the  last  performance  was  given 
at  Cynthiana,  Ky.  Season  of  1886-87  he  created  the  part  of  "Rufus,"  the 
old  negro  in  "Held  by  the  Enemy." 

He  married  Miss  Laura  Bennett,  a  well-known  star  of  the  old  variety 
days ;  they  had  one  daughter. 

Mr.  Woodson's  singing  of  "That  Old  Gray  Mule  of  Mine"  was  a  classic. 

His  last  engagement  was  with   Cleveland's  Minstrels  in   1891. 

Harry  Woodson  was  born  in  Richmond,  Va.,  January  15,  1852;  he  died 
at  Amityville,  Long  Island,  N.  Y.,  August  30,  1898. 

W.  S.  Belknap,  prominent  as  a  bass  singer  with  Haverly's  Mastodon  Min- 
strels ;  Barlow,  Wilson,  Primrose  and  West's  and  other  minstrel  organiza- 
tions, died  at  Louisville,  Ky.,  February  15,  1900;  age  48  years. 

Billy  O'Day  (Geo.  F.  Day),  who  excelled  as  a  "rough  wench,"  commenced 
"acting  up"  late  in  1871  at  Frank  Wild's  Varieties  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y. ;  re- 
mained one  year  at  $12  per —  not  $12.00  per  year;  but  perhaps  you  have 
guessed  it. 

Afterwards  he  was  with  Shay's  Ouinciplexal  Minstrels,  and  joined 
Billy  Wild;  known  as  O'Day  and  Wild,  the  "Ebony  Kings,"  the  partner- 
ship continued  two  years.  He  then  played  variety  engagements,  and  was 
three  years  at  Harry   Enochs  in   Philadelphia. 

In  1890  O'Day  and  Jerry.  Cunnningham  were  partners,  and  remained 
so  for  one  year.  Mr.  O'Day  has  since  that  time  played  white  and  black- 
face characters  in  several  prominent  dramatic  organizations,  including 
Rufus,  in  "Held  by  the  Enemy"  and  Decatur  in  "Alabama,"  not  forgetting 
Uncle  Tom  in  the  latter's  Cabin. 

I  most  forgot  to  say  that  about  1873  Mr.  O'Day  appeared  as  "Master 
Willie"  with  the  San  Francisco  Minstrels  in  New  York,  and  sang  "There's 
A  Letter  In  The  Candle." 

Mr.  O'Day  was  married  at  Johnstown,  Pa.,  October  13,  1892,  to  Miss 
Mary  Eagel,  a  non-professional. 

Billy  O'Day  was  born  April  i,  1852,  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  that's  no  joke. 


FROM  "DADDY-  NICE  TO  DATE.  239 

The  Reynolds  Brothers  were  a  well-known  and  popular  song  and  dance 
team.  As  early  as  1865  as  the  "Utica  Boys"  they  were  with  Burgess,  Pren- 
dergrast,  Hughes  and  Donniker's  Minstrels;  the  year  following  with  Bur- 
gess and  La  Rue's  Minstrels. 

They  joined  M.  C.  Campbell's  company  in  1867,  and  subsequently 
appeared  with  Emerson  and  Manning's ;  Emerson's,  and  Arlington,  Cotton 
and  Kemble's  Minstrels ;  the  latter  in  1872.  After  the  death  of  his  brother 
Charles,  George  Reynolds  appeared  for  a  short  time  with  Charley  Cogill 
as  Cogill  and  Reynolds. 

Charles  Reynolds  was  born  in  Utica,  N.  Y.,  in  1852;  he  died  in  San  Fran- 
cisco, Cal.,  January  7,  1878.  George  Reynolds  died  in  New  York  City,  Alarch 
4,  1895- 

Tommy  Turner  (Trainor)  was  one  of  the  Three  Turner  Brothers,  and  well 
known  as  a  banjoist. 

He  was  the  husband  of  Lulu  Francis,  and  had  been  in  the  profession 
about  ten  years  prior  to  his  death,  which  occurred  in  Leadville,  Colo.,  May 
31,  1879,  at  the  age  of  25  years.  Mr.  Turner  was  born  in  New  York,  Sep- 
tember 29,  1854. 

Fred  Walz,  during  his  comparatively  brief  career  as  a  vocalist  in  minstrelsy, 
achieved  distinction  that  has  often  been  denied  those  of  more  mature  years. 

His  first  professional  engagement  was  with  Newcomb  and  Arlington's 
Minstrels  in  1871.  In  1872  he  was  with  Moran  and  Dixey's  Minstrels  in 
Philadelphia,  and  subsequently  with   Frank  Moran's   Minstrels. 

In  1873  he  joined  Simmons  and  Slocum's  Minstrels  for  the  season,  also 
in  the  Quaker  City.  August  31,  1874,  he  became  a  member  of  Bryant's 
Minstrels  in  New  York,  and  continued  with  them  until  the  death  of  Dan 
Bryant,  April  10,  1875,  when  he  almost  immediately  joined  Emerson's  Cali- 
fornia Minstrels  in  Chicago,  and  continued  with  them  several  weeks. 

Subsequently  he  became  a  member  of  Carncross  and  Dixey's,  and  later 
Carncross'  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  remained  until  his  death. 

Fred  Walz  was  born  in  Philadelphia  about  1852;  he  died  there  Sep- 
tember 7,   1884. 

James  H.  Cummings  was  one  of  minstrelsy's  best  dancers.  He  formed  a 
partnership  with  John  P.  Hogan  late  in  1871,  and  played  an  engagement  at 
Moran  and  Dixey's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  terminating  about  February 
I,  1872. 

Later  his  partner  was  W.  H.  Delehanty,  whom  he  joined  August  23, 
1875  ;  the  alliance  lasted  about  fifteen  months. 

Mr.  Cummings  subsequently  did  an  act  with  Harry  Orndorf  while 
with  the  Emily  Soldene  Company,  where  he  remained  two  seasons.  He 
left  the  profession  for  a  time,  and  embarked  in  business  in  Indianapolis,  Ind. 

Mr.  Cummings  married  one  of  the  Stanley  Sisters,  well  known  per- 
formers of  three  decades  ago.  James  H.  Cummings  was  born  in  Rochester, 
N.  Y. ;  he  died  in  San  Francisco,  February  15,  1889;  age  37  years. 

Welby  and  Pearl  are  not  exactly  the  pioneers  of  song  and  dance  teams,  but 


240  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

they  have  been  associated  as  partners  since  1874,  which  is  enough  to  make 
them   qualify. 

They  have  been  with  several  first-class  organizations,  including  Al. 
G.  Field's  Minstrels,  with  whom  they  were  with  in  1899;  subsequently  they 
joined  Gorton's  Minstrels,  and  continued  with  them  almost  to  date.  Mr. 
Pearl,  of  recent  years,  was  manager  of  the  company. 

Jake  Welby   (Bucher),  was  born  October  13,   1852,  at  Syracuse,  N.  Y. 

Charles  C.  Pearl  (Fell),  was  born  in  West  Chester,  Pa.,  December  4, 
1858. 

Dan  Collyer  (McAnerny),  the  well  known  comedian  of  Broadway  fame, 
was  one  of  the  Collyer  Brothers  as  early  as  1872,  doing  black-face  acts. 
Doesn't  look  it,  does  he?  November  16,  1889,  he  opened  in  New  York  with 
"Running  Wild,"  in  which  he  played  the  wench. 

In  the  stock  with  Pastor's  Company,  likewise  Harrigan  and  Hart's,  he 
essayed  many  black-face  roles ;  he  also  did  vaudeville  with  Add.  Ryman — 
and  there  were  others,  notably  Dockstader's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  De- 
cember,  1888.     Mr.  Collyer  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  March,   1853. 

Fr.\nk  McNish  (Francis  Edward  McNish),  like  the  good  American  that 
he  is,  began  his  theatrical  career  on  July  4,  the  year,  1873.  Garry  Doon 
shared  the   honors. 

He  first  appeared  professionally  April  16,  1877,  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  at  the 
Adelphi. 

August  21,  1878,  he  joined  Barlow,  Wilson,  Primrose  and  West's  Min- 
strels, continuing  with  them  until  February  21,  1879.  Mr.  McNish  later 
formed  an  alliance  with  the  Leland  Sisters,  and  played  variety  engagements 
with  much  success  for  about  three  years,  after  which  he  joined  Thatcher, 
Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels,  August  3,  1882,  and  was  a  feature  with 
them  for  three  years. 

Mr.  McNish  was  now  ripe  for  stellar  honors,  and  accordingly  on  July 
30,  1885,  the  first  performance  of  McNish,  Johnson  and  Slavin's  Minstrels 
was  given  in  Paterson,  N.  J. ;  the  organization  continued  three  years^  after 
which  McNish,  Ramza  and  Arno's  Minstrels  did  appear — and  disappear. 

Mr.  McNish  was  with  Al.  G.  Field's  Minstrels  in  1892,  and  with  Hi 
Henry  in  1895 — and  there  were  others. 

Also  did  he  "star"  in  "An  Actor's  Romance"  or  "An  Actor's  Holiday," 
The  author  forgets  which ;  however,  the  tour  was  neither  a  romance  nor  a 
holiday. 

January  4,  18S7,  Meriden,  Conn.,  had  the  honor  of  being  the  first  city 
of  witnessing  Mr.  McNish's  appearance  as  an  end  man. 

Most  everybody  knows  that  Frank  McNish  was  the  originator  of  the 
Silence  and  Fun  specialty  that  made  him  famous,  and  which  has  been  exten- 
sively copied  by  other  performers.  In  addition  to  being  a  good  dancer,  he 
is  also  a  good  singer;  originally  a  plumber,  Mr.  McNish  always  has  his  pipes 
in  good  working  order. 

An  early  partner  was  Edward  Gildea;  the  latest  were  Joe.  Penfield  and 
Frank  McNish,  Jr. 
Frank  McNish  was  born  in  Camden,  N.  Y.,  December  14,  1853. 


BILLY    LYONS 


FRED.    MALCOLM 


CHAS.  HEYWOOD 


JUSTIN  ROBINSON 


THE    GREAT    "EUGENE" 


ERNEST   LINDEN 


LINCOLN  ELLWOOD 


BURT.    SHEPARD 


PAUL  VERNON 


FAMED  FAVORITES  WHO  FEATURED  FEMININE  FANCIES- 
SECOND  EDITION. 


242  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Gus  Mills  achieved  considerable  popularity  as  a  female  impersonator  with 
Simmons,  Slocum's  and  Sweatnam's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia;  Docksta- 
der's  in  New  York,  as  well  as  Emerson's  and  other  well  known  organiza- 
tions; he  died  in  Chicago,  111.,  October  6,  1903;  age  about  55  years. 

Johnny  Mack  entered  the  profession  at  an  early  age.  He  had  as  partners 
at  various  times  Johnny  Gardner,  Billy  Conway  and  Lew  Dockstader. 
With  the  latter  he  played  with  Whitmore  and  Clark's  Minstrels  in  1874,  as 
Mack  and  Clapp. 

He  died  at  Hoosick  Falls,  N.  Y.,  February  28,  1891 ;  age  38  years. 

Willie  (Wm.  H.)  Guy  was  the  first  of  the  Guy  boys  to  enter  minstrelsy, 
making  his  initial  appearance  with  Hooley  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  about  1863; 
the  following  year  he  was  with  M.  C.  Campbell's  Minstrels  in  New  York. 

Subsequently  he  joined  his  brother  George,  and  as  George  and  Willie 
Guy  became  quite  popular  at  Hooley 's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  where  they 
remained  for  a  considerable  time. 

The  next  few  years  he  was  with  the  minstrel  organization  of  Kelly  and 
Leon ;  Moore  and  Burgess,  Harry  Robinson's,  Welch,  Hughes  and  White ; 
Smith  and  Taylor's,  and  George  Christy's. 

In  1874  he  became  a  member  of  Guy  Brother's  Minstrels,  and  as  such 
continued  practically  until  his  death.  Mr.  Guy  ranked  high  as  a  song  and 
dance  performer  and   comedian. 

Willie  Guy  was  born  in  Hartford,  Conn.,  October  16,  1853 ;  he  died  in 
Springfield,  Mass.,  February  26,  1906. 

Richard  Golden  (Frank  Golden),  whose  fame  as  "Old  Jed  Prouty"  will 
long  live,  did  a  black-face  song  and  dance  with  Lew  Davis  (later  Chace  and 
Davis),  in  the  late  6o's;  he  was  also  with  Sharpley's  Minstrels. 

Mr.  Golden  was  born  in  Bangor,  Me.,  February  6,  1853;  he  died  in 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  August  10,  1909. 

Harry  M.  Morse.  It  would  be  a  difificult  matter  to  say  ofif-hand  whether  this 
gentleman  is  best  known  as  a  minstrel  or  as  a  delineator  of  "rube"  charact- 
ers ;  in  the  one  he  has  been  associated  with  several  famous  organizations ;  in 
the  other  he  is  as  readily  recalled  by  several  well  remembered  characteriza- 
tions. 

He  first  appeared  professionally  with  Rice's  "Evangeline"  in  1877, 
where  his  splendid  bass  voice  was  used  as  a  member  of  a  quartette. 

In  1881  he  played  his  initial  minstrel  engagement  with  the  Haverly 
Mastodons ;  the  following  year  with  the  new  Mastodons  saw  his  first  appear- 
ance as  "middle  man." 

In  1883  he  was  with  Sam  Hague's  Minstrels,  under  the  Haverly  man- 
agement. Thatcher,  PrimrosQ,  and  West's  Minstrels  had  him  for  a  member 
in  1884,  and  the  following  season  he  was  with  the  inaugural  performance  of 
McNish,  Johnson  and  Slavin's  Minstrels,  and  remained  with  them  until  the 
dissolution  of  the  company  at  Washington,  D.  C,  May  19,  1888. 

Right  here  Mr.  Morse's  inherent  Yankeeism  asserted  itself;  carefully 
sealing  up  his  box  of  cork,  he  placed  it  in  storage,  and  went  in  for  "rube" 
Characters  exclusively. 


FROM    'DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  243 

From  1888  to  1892  he  played  Zeb  in  "Old  Jed  Prouty";  Mr.  Morse  was 
great  in  this  character ;  so  was  the  wig. 

"Rush  City";  Pete  Dailey's  "Country  Sport":  Joe  Hart's  "Gay  Old 
Boy"  and  four  years  as  the  Giant  in  "Jack,  the  Giant  Killer,"  followed  ;  a 
return  to  "Old  Jed  Prouty"  and  Mr.  Morse  began  to  repent. 

Primrose's  Minstrels,  Dockstader's  Minstrels  and  Cohan  and  Harris' 
Minstrels,  the  latter  in   1908,  followed  the  repentance. 

Now  Mr.  Morse  is  showing  his  "rube"  to  vaudeville  lovers — and  they 
seem  to  like  it. 

Taken  all  in  all,  Putnam,  Conn.,  may  well  feel  proud  of  its  distinguished 
citizen. 

Harry  M.  Morse  was  born  in  Woodstock,  Conn.,  August  4,  1853. 

Frank  Cushman  (Peter  Clishman)  was  one  of  the  very  best  singing  come- 
diens  of  minstrelsy ;  he  possessed  a  peculiar  voice,  and  could  reach  high  C 
with  ease. 

At  the  outset  of  his  career  he  gave  impersonations  of  the  old  colored 
man,  which  ever  after  he  made  a  feature  of  his  repertoire;  in  these  delinea- 
tions he  was  exceptionally  clever. 

He  made  his  first  appearance  with  Professor  John  Hammond's  Com- 
pany at  Havre  de  Grace,  Md.,  in  1874 ;  subsequently  he  joined  Tommy  Jef.- 
ferson's  company,  where  his  success  was  pronounced. 

After  this  he  went  to  the  Odeon  Theatre  in  Baltimore,  remaining  a 
year ;  likewise  he  played  stock  engagements  at  th.e  Grand  Central  Theatre, 
Philadelphia,  and  other  houses.  His  first  prominent  minstrel  engagement 
was  with  Carncross  and  Dixey,  in  Philadelphia. 

October  21,  1878,  made  his  appearance  at  the  Adelphi  Theatre,  Chi- 
cago, as  a  member  of  Haverly's  original  Mastodons.  He  went  to  England 
with  Haverly,  opening  in  London,  July  31,  1880;  he  continued  under  this 
management  for  a  considerable  period. 

About  1882  he  formed  an  alliance  with  the  "Only  Leon,"  playing  star 
engagements  in  the  variety  houses  and  minstrel  companies ;  during  this 
period  they  made  a  trip  to  Australia,  where  they  played  several  months ;  they 
separated  in  the  Spring  of   1887. 

In  the  fall  of  that  3'ear  he  became  a  member  of  Sweatriam.  Rice  and 
Pagan's  Minstrels ;  he  was  likewise  with  Primrose  and  West's ;  Cleveland's, 
and  Al.  G.  Field's  Minstrels. 

In  the  fall  of  1889  with  Ned  Thomas  he  organized  the  Cushman  and 
Thomas  Minstrels. 

Mr.  Cushman  created  the  black-face  part  in  the  production  of  "Natural 
Gas";  and  in  1898  he  was  with  the  last  minstrel  show  Jack  Haverly  ever  put 
out.  He  was  married  to  the  widow  of  Billy  Welch  about  1888,  and  they 
lived   very  happily  together. 

His  last  appearance  was  at  Lexington,  Ky.,  a  few  days  before  his  death. 

Frank  Cushman  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  March  11,  1853:  he  died 
in   Louisville,   Ky.,   December   19,   1907. 

Edwin  French  (Adam  Kunz)  was  one  of  the  great  banjoists  of  minstrelsy. 
He  made  his  first  appearance  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  as  Master  Eddie  with 
Morris  and  Wilson's   Minstrels. 


244  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

He  next  appeared  with  Green's  "Mocking  Bird"  Minstrels,  and  in  1867 
was  with  Sam  Sharpley's  Company. 

Subsequently  he  played  a  long  engagement  with  Birch,  Wambold  and 
Backus   in   New  York   City. 

He  was  also  with  Carncross  in  Philadelphia;  Moore  and  Burgess  in 
London,  England,  and  Dockstader  in  New  York.  In  1882  he  was  with 
Leavitfs  Giganteans;  and  likewise  played  an  important  engagement  with 
Haverly's  Minstrels. 

Edwin  French  was  born  in  Cleveland,  Ohio,  January  31,  1853;  he  died 
at  Saranac  Lake,  N.  Y.,  September  16,  1903. 

Burt.  Haverly  (Geo.  Burton  Oliver),  the  favorite  minstrel  and  farceur, 
began  in  Boston  at  an  early  age  with  a  minstrel  company  headed  by  the  late 
Andy  Leavitt ;  Mr.  Haverly's  vocal  offering  on  this  occasion  was — "And 
His  Feet  Hung  Out  the  Door." 

In  1881  he  was  with  Billy  Emerson  in  San  Francisco,  a  place  where 
Haverly  loved  above  all  others ;  in  this  city  he  was  highly  though  of,  per- 
sonally and  as  a  performer. 

It  was  in  1879  that  he  attained  his  first  prominence  as  a  member  of 
Hooley   and   Emerson's  "Megatherian"   Minstrels. 

In  the  middle  and  late  8o's  he  was  with  McNish,  Johnson  and  Slavin's, 
and  Johnson  and   Slavin's   Minstrels. 

Shortly  after  leaving  the  last  company,  he  went  into  white-face  with  the 
"City  Directory" ;  subsequently,  with  Laura  Biggar,  he  was  co-star  in  "A  Trip  to 
Chinatown,"  for  several  seasons. 

Mr.  Haverly  married  Miss  Nellie  Carter,  in  San  Jose,  Cal.,  February 
21,  1882. 

In  New  York,  on  March  21,  1901,  he  married  Mme.  D'owling. 

Burt.  Haverly  was  born  in  Saccarappa,  Me.,  August  12,  1853;  he  died 
in  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  October  31,  1908. 

H.wvKiNS  .-XND  Collins.  This  great  black-face  singing  act  made  their  first 
joint  appearance  at  the  Garden  Theatre  in  Chicago,  111.,  in  the  Fall  of  1882. 

They  played  successful  minstrel  engagements  with  Carncross'  in  Phila- 
delphia;  Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West's;  Haverly's  and  Hyde  and  Bell- 
man's Company,  as  well  as  several  first-class  specialty  organizations. 

They  continued  as  a  team  until  the  death  of  Ben  Collins. 

Lew  Hawkins  made  his  first  professional  appearance  as  a  jig  dancer 
in  the  A\'inter  Garden,  Chicago,  111.,  in  1873;  he  worked  in  white-face,  his 
weekly  stipend  was  $6.00 ;  he  gets  more  now. 

He  went  to  San  Francisco  from  Chicago,  played  all  the  variety  houses 
on  the  w-ay  back  three  years  later,  and  opened  with  Ed.  Hodson,  again  in 
Chicago,  at  the  Coliseum,  where  they  did  a  Dutch  act ;  a  year  later  he  sep- 
arated from  Hodson  and  joined  J.  W.  Kelly,  who  afterwards  won  fame  as 
the  "Rolling  Mill  Man";  Mr.  Hawkins'  claims,  and  he  undoubtedly  is  cor- 
rect when  he  asserts  that  he  first  brought  Kelly  before  the  public  as  a  pro- 
fessional entertainer;  this  was  in  August,  1878,  at  the  Cosmopolitan  (pres- 
ent Olympic)  Theatre  in  Chicago;  they  separated  in  1882,  and  Mr.  Haw- 
kins joined  Collins. 

Since  the  death  of  the  latter.  Lew  Hawkins  has  worked  alone  doing  a 


"COOL"  WHITE  "COOL"    BURGESS 

A  PAIR  OF  "COOL"  PROPOSITIONS. 


"ADD."    RYMAN  "ADD."    WEAVER 

NQT  A  CASE  OF  ADDITION. 


FRANK  WILD  JOHN    WILD 

WILD,  BUT  NOT  DANGEROUS. 


246  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

black-face  monologue  and  singing  act ;  he  is  known  as  the  "Chesterfield  of 
Minstrelsy." 

Lew  Hawkins  was  born  in  Hudson,  Mich.,  August  20,  1853. 

Ben  Collins  was  born  in  Chicago,  111.;  he  died  in  Boston,  Mass.,  March 
20,  1890;  age  31  years. 

Wm.  H.  West  (Flynn),  famous  as  a  great  clog  dancer  and  producer,  and  for 
many  years  associated  with  George  H.  Primrose  in  their  many  minstrel 
organizations,  made  his  first  appearance  in  a  variety  theatre  in  Bufl^alo,  N. 
Y.,  August  20,  1870;  the  following  year  he  joined  Skiff  and  Gaylord's  Min- 
strels, where  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  George  H.  Primrose,  and  shortly 
after  this  they  made  their  first  joint  appearance,  playing  variety  theatres,  and 
continuing  with  Mr.  Primrose  for  many  years. 

November  20,  1874,  he  joined  Haverly's  Minstrels,  and  remained  with 
them  until  June   14,   1877. 

On  Aug.  20,  same  year,  with  his  partner.  Milt.  G.  Barlow  and  George 
Wilson,  they  gave  the  first  performance  of  Barlow,  Wilson,  Primrose  and 
West's  Minstrels;  the  last  in  the  Summer  of  1882. 

That  same  year  Mr.  West,  Mr.  Primrose  and  George  Thatcher,  organ- 
ized Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels ;  they  gave  their  final  per- 
formance in  the  Summer  of  1889. 

From  1889  until  April  30,  1898,  Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels  took  the 
mad;  the  last  season  (1897),  Mr.  West  headed  his  own  company,  Mr.  Prim- 
rose another. 

In  the  Summer  of  1898,  William  H.  \\'est's  Big  Jubilee  Minstrels  gave 
their  first  performance,  and  he  continued  with  his  company  until  within  a 
few  months  of  his  death.  •  ;■ 

Mr.  West  was  thrice  married  ;  his  first  wife  was  Fay  Templeton,  the 
well-known  actress  whom  he  married  about  1883 ;  they  separated  soon  after. 
His  second  wife  was  Miss  Lizette  Morris,  of  Philadelphia,  a  daughter  of  our 
former  Minister  to.  Turkey ;  on  October  27,  1892,  he  married  Miss  Emma 
Hanley,  the   well-known  actress  of  light  opera  fame. 

Mr.  West  sat  in  the  middle  with  his  various  companies,  his  st3de  of 
interlocutor  being  different  from  any  of  his  predecessors. 

William  H.  West  was  born  in  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  June  18,  1853 ;  he  died 
in  Chicago,  III.,  February  15,  1902. 

Emerson  and  Clark  were  a  favorite  song:  and'  da;i|C)a».-t-^^|fcof  the  middle 
70's;  they  appdaVerf''"iti- the  well-kh&Wft  varie'ty  houseg,  and  in  1877  they 
played  an  engagement  with  Cal.  Wagner's  Minstrels ;  in  the  fall  of  the  same 
year  they  associated  themselves  with  the  Daly  Brothers,  Tom  and  Bill. 
The  four  took  a  European  tour  and  later  were  with  Hooley  and  Emerson's 
Jvlegatherian  Minstrels,  in   1879. 

Mr.  Emerson  married  Julia  Emmonds,  and  as  Emerson  fed  Emmonds 
they  played  the  variety  houses;  in  the  course  of  time  the  act  received  an 
addition,  and  as  Emerson,  Emmonds  and  Emerson  they  wePe  ;v^ll  known. 

Mr.  Emerson  also  did  a  black-face  specialty  with  James  Cook,  of  the 
present  team  of  Cook  and  Lorenz ;  this  was  with  Barlow,  Wilson  and  Ran- 
kin's Minstrels  about  1885. 


FROM  "DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  247 

After  their  separation,  Mr.  Clark  published  "Willis  Clark's  Joke  Book," 
which  met  with  indifferent  success. 

Mort.   Emerson  was  born   in   Philadelphia,  November  27,   1853. 

Willis  Clark  died  (suicide)  in  New  York  City,  December  23,  1899;  age 
42  years. 

The  D,\ly  Bros.  Tom  Daly's  early  partner  was  Bob  Birdue ;  they  played  an 
engagement  at  the  Howard  Athenaeum  in  Boston,  where  they  met  with  pro- 
nounced success ;  subsequently  he  was  joined  by  his  brother  Bill. 

In  April,  1871,  as  Master  Willie  and  Tommy,  they  did  their  specialties 
with  Newcomb  and  Arlington's  Minstrels  in  New  York  City;  season  of  1875 
they  played  Carncross  and  Dixey's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia ;  the  next  year 
they  were  with  Haverly,  and  after  the  conclusion  of  that  engagement  the 
brothers  joined  Emerson  and  Clark,  and  the  four  were  known  as  the  King 
High  Kickers. 

The  Dalys  were  brothers  of  the  lamented  Dan  Daly  ;  and  Tom  Daly's 
second  wife  was  Lizzie  Derious,  the  well-known  soubrette,  now  Mrs.  Sam 
Tuck. 

Tom  Daly  was  a  man  of  exemplary  habits ;  his  death  was  the  result  of 
a  brutal  assault  received  in  Chicago  a  few  years  previous  to  it. 

Bill  Daly,  or  "Cap.  Bill"  as  he  is  best  known,  has  not  appeared  profes- 
sionally in  several  years. 

Tom  Daly  was  born  at  Bathurst,  N.  B.,  in  1855 ;  he  died  at  Somerville, 
Mass.,  July  20,  1892. 

ORIGIN.AL   RIG   FOUR — LESTER-ALLEN-SMITH-WALDRON. 

Billy  Lester  (Albert  Manasse)  made  his  first  appearance  as  a  clog  dancer 
with  Sam  Colville's  Variety  Company,  at  the  age  of  13. 

His  first  partner  was  John  Turner,  and  as  Turner  and  Lester  they 
played  the  principal  variety  houses,  also  an  engagement  with  Simmons  and 
Slocum's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  in   1874. 

About  October  i,  1875,  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Paul  Allen,  and 
in  the  fall  of  1876  the  team  consolidated  with  Smith  and  Waldron ;  this  was 
the  original  Big  4. 

February  28,  1878,  saw  the  first  performance  of  Billy  Emerson's  and 
the  Big  4  Minstrels ;  which  continued  several  months ;  Lester  and  Allen 
joined  Tierney  and  Cronin,  and  were  known  as  the  4  Aces ;  this,  however, 
was  not  the  original  act  of  that  title. 

About  1884  Lester  and  Allen's  Minstrels  took  the  road,  and  continued 
as  an  organization  for  three  years. 

Shortly  after  this  they  appeared  in  "A  Plug  Hat";  later  Mr.  Lester 
separated  from  Mr.  Allen. 

Mr.  Lester's  first  wife  was  Viola  Clifton,  whom  he  married  in  1876. 
November  24,  1887,  he  became  the  husband  of  Annie  Hart. 

Billy  Lester  was  born  in  London,  England;  he  died  at  Fair  Haven; 
N.  J.,  July  II,  1893;  age  40  years. 

Paul  Allen  (Kayser)  joined  Billy  Lester  in  1875,  and  while  the  major  por- 
tion of  his  professional  career  was  identified  with  Lester's,  it  was  not  entirely 
so. 


248  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

In  1880,  with  Dan  Waldron,  William  Smith  and  Master  Martin  the  Big 
4  Minstrels  were  on  the  road. 

After  separating  from  Mr.  Lester,  he  did  a  black-face  monologue,  and 
as  "Mayor  of  the  Ohio  River"  met  with  unqualified  success. 

Mr.  Allen  married  Louise  Montague  (Laura  Keene  Stewart)  at  Sai: 
Francisco,  in  1877. 

Paul  Allen  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Md. ;  he  died  in  New  York  City, 
February  2t„  1896;  age  43  years. 

William  Smith  associated  himself  with  Dan  Waldron  in  the  middle  70's, 
doing  black-face  songs  and  dances.  In  1876  Smith  and  Waldron  joined  Les- 
ter and  Allen,  and  were  associated  about  three  years. 

In  1879  the  Big  4  consisted  of  Smith,  Waldron,  Morton  and  Martin, 
and  a  year  later  it  was  Smith,  Allen,  Morton  and  Martin. 

In  1898  with  Haverly's  Minstrels,  the  Big  4  was  Smith,  Waldron,  Daly 
and  Martin ;  and  at  the  time  of  his  (Smith's)  death,  it  was  Smith,  Waldron, 
Peasley  and  Martin. 

Mr.  Smith  was  the  brother  of  Helene  Smith,  the  beautiful  danseuse  of 
a  generation  ago. 

William  Smith  died  (suicide)  in  New  York  City,  April  16,  1900. 

D.-^N  Waldron  (McQuinny),  the  last  of  the  original  Big  Four,  joined  Will- 
iam Smith  in  a  black-face  song  and  dance  act  about  1875,  and  continued  a 
member  of  the  various  combinations  of  "Big  4's"  longer  than  any  of  his 
associates. 

After  severing  relations  with  them  he  appeared  with  many  prominent 
minstrel  companies,  notably  George  Thatcher's,  and  Haverly's  (Nankeville's) 
Minstrels. 

Dan  Waldron  was  born  in  New  York  City;  he  died  April  i,  1905,  at  Wash- 
ington, D.  C. ;  age  47  years. 


They  tell  this  one  about  the  famous  Billy  Manning — Manning's  Com- 
pany and  that  of  Dan  Bryant  met  on  one  occasion  on  the  road ;  in  the  course 
of  the  conversation  it  turned  out  that  Bryant's  Company  was  to  follow  Man- 
ning's in  at  a  certain  town ;  Dan  Bryant  requested  Manning  to  "announce" 
the  coming  of  his  (Bryant's)  troupe;  which  of  course,  Manning  promised 
to  do. 

About  ten  days  later  the  minstrels  met  again,  and  Manning  informed 
Bryant  that  he  (Manning),  had  played  the  previous  evening  in  the  town 
already  referred  to. 

Did  you  "announce"  me  said  Dan?  I  was  just  going  to,  said  Manning, 
when  the  fellow  got  up  and  went  out. 


Billy  Bryant  (Wm.  Thos.  Hanson).  Who  among  theatre-goers  of  twenty 
years  ago  who  recall  Bryant  &  Richmond  in  the  act  "Imprisoned,"  cannot 
see  Billy  Bryant  as  he  carefully  felt  the  topmost  portion  of  his  anatomy, 
ruefully  exclaiming — "O !  my  coco."    That  was  comedy. 

Bryant's  career  began  in  1868  with  the  Walter  Bray  Company,  where 
he  joined  hands  with  Arthur  Hegeney,  under  the  team  name  of  Hanson  and 
Hegeney.  It  was  Bray  that  suggested  a  change,  and  forthwith  Hanson 
became  Bryant,  in  honor  of  Dan  Bryant,  and  Hegeney  was  thereafter  known 


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250  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

as  Williams,  after  the  famous  Barney  Williams,  whose  early  days  were  spent 
in  minstrelsy. 

Bryant  and  Williams  played  the  best  variety  houses  in  the  country  until 
1876,  when  he  married  Lizzie  Richmond,  and  as  Bryant  &  Richmond  they 
gave  "Imprisoned"  for  many  years;  afterwards  they  produced  "Keep  it 
Dark" ;  for  seven  seasons  they  played  it  with  much  success. 

Alice  Hanson,  an  unusually  clever  and  vivacious  soubrette,  is  his 
daughter. 

Billy  Bryant  was  born  in  Plattville,  Wis.,  October  12,  1853 ;  he  died  at 
Chicago,  111.,  July  22,  1902. 

Bob  Slavin  was  one  of  the  most  brilliant  comedians  in  the  minstrel  firma- 
ment ;  a  natural  wit :  a  great  entertainer. 

About  1874  he  did  a  specialty  with  George  Nelson;  and  a  year  or  so 
later  he  doubled  with  "Buck"  Sheffer ;  the  partnership  continued  about  two 
years.  Subsequently  he  appeared  with  .unqualified  success  with  Haverly's, 
the  San  Franciscos,  and  Emerson's,  in  Sanljlrancisco. 

In  July,  1885,  at  Paterson,  JN. -;J.,  Mc^Nish,  Johnson  and  Slavin's  Min- 
strels, gave  their  first  performance :- they  continued  as  an  organization  for 
three  seasons;  Mr.  McXish  retiring,  Johnson  and  Slavin's  Minstrels  took 
the  road:  the  partnership  dissolved  in  June,   1889. 

July  17,.  1890,  Mr.  Slavin  opened  for  a  liaiitted  .engagement  with  Wm. 
Henry  Rice's  World's  Fair  Minstrels,  and  closed  September  2,  at  Elmira, 
N.  Y.,  September  10,  he  opened  with  the  Howard  Athenaeum  Company  in 
Troy,  N.  Y.,  doing  his  specialty  in  white-face;  sad  to  say,  this  engagement 
lasted  only  about-a- rnotith. 

Mr.  Slavin  subsequently  appeared  with  the  May  Russell  Burlesque 
Company.  On  November  19,  1892,  he  began  an  engagement  with  Crawford 
Brother's  Minstfels  in  South  Bend.  Ind. ;  \Mr.  Slavin  made  his  last  appear- 
ance with  this  company  about  Christmas,  the  same  year,- at  Toledo,  Ohio. 

Mr.  Slavin  married  Agnes- Louise  Laurence,  a  non-professional,  in  1878. 

Bob.  Slavin  was  born  in-  Baltimore,  Md.,  November  28,  1853 ;  he  died  in 
Toledo,  Ohio,  December  29,  1892. 

WiLLi.\M  J.  Carroll,  known  as  a  first-class  banjoist  and  negro  impersonator, 
came  to  this  country  at  a  very  early  age,  and  began  his  professional  career 
while  yet  in  his  teens ;  in  1873  he  joined  William  Harris,  and  as  Harris  and 
Carroll  remained  with  him  until  1879;  they  played  various  variety  engage- 
ments. December  20,  1880,  he  joined  Thatcher  and  Ryman's  Minstrels  at  the 
Arch  Street  Opera  House,  Philadelphia,  doing  his  specialty,  and  sitting  on  the 
end,  opposite  George  Thatcher;  he  remained  all  season.  Subsequently  he 
was  with   Primrose  and   West,  and  other  organizations. 

William  Carroll  was  born  in  Ireland  about  1853 ;  he  died  in  Chelsea, 
Mass.,  January  25,  1896. 

John  F.  Fields  made  his  first  appearance  with  the  San  Francisco  Minstrels 
in  New  York  City,  D'ecep-iber,  1865,  as  a  boy  vocalist.  It  was  in  August, 
1874,  that  his  professional  career  began  when  he  formed  a  partnership  with 
Fred  Sharpley,  who  died  in  1879. 

His  next  partner  was  William  F.  Hoey,  later  known  as  "Old  Hoss,"  the 


FROM  "DADDY-  RICE  TO  DATE.  251 

team  name  being  Fields  and  Hoey,  doing  a  black-face  musical  act.  Mr. 
Fields  played  an  engagement  with  Cal.  \\'agner's  Minstrels  while  a  member 
of  this  alliance.  In  1878  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Frank  Hanson.  As 
the  straight  man  in  these  acts,  Mr.  Fields  excels,  and  after  thirty-six  years 
we  find  him  as  good  as  ever. 

At  the  termination  of  his  partnership  with  Mr.  Hanson  in  1885,  Mr. 
Fields'  took  another  partner,  the  team  name  of  Fields  &  Hanson  was  retained 
and  is  still  a  valuable  trade-mark.  Since  1885  "Fields  and  Hanson"  have 
been  with  Haverley's  Minstrels;  Cleveland's  Minstrels,  Gus.  Hill,  Hyde's 
Comedians  and  Reilly  &  Woods  Company ;  and  for  five  years  he  had  on  tour 
Fields  &  Hanson's  Drawing  Cards. 

Mr.  Fields  and  his  present  partner  are  now  in  vaudeville. 

Jno.  F.  Fields  was  born  in  Newark,  N.  J.,  October  17,  1853. 

Frank  Hanson  worked  a  year  with  a  performer  named  Billy  Phillips,  but 
only  as  amateurs.  He  left  Phillips  in  1877,  and  joined  a  party  by  the  name 
of  Smith,  with  whom  he  worked  several  months,  making  their  first  appear- 
ance at  the  Pioylston  Museum.  Then  came  Hanson  and  Rich,  and  a  short 
time  after,  the  famous  team  of  Fields  and  Hanson  was  formed  in   187S. 

In  1SS5  after  the  team  broke  up,  Mr.  Hanson  went  in  the  hotel  busi- 
ness in  F>oston,  in  which  he  has  been  ever  since. 

Frank  Hanson  was  born  at  Ossipee,  N.  H.,  March  13,  i860. 

Fields  and  Hanson  joined  hands  in  1878,  playing  variety  engagements  for 
that  season.  Seasons  of  1S79-1880,  1880-81,  were  spent  with  Barlow,  Wilson, 
Primrose  and  West,  followed  by  seasons  with  Leavitt's  All  Star  Specialty 
Company,  and  Barry  and  Fay's  organization.  In  1S83  they  began  an  en- 
gagement with  the  Howard  Athenaeum  Company,  at  the  conclusion  of  which 
they  played  a  season  of  sixteen  weeks  in  the  larger  cities  of  Europe ;  return- 
ing to  the  United  States,  they  began  their  last  season  as  a  team,  with  the 
Howard  Athenaeum  Company,  at  the  conclusion  of  which  in  1885,  they  sep- 
arated. 

Manchester  and  Jennings  worked  harmoniously  as  a  team  for  eighteen 
years,  during  which  period  they  were  associated  with  some  of  the  best  min- 
strel organizations  traveling.  As  a  black-face  comedy  act  they  were  among 
the  leaders. 

Their  first  joint  appearance  was  in  1870.  About  1874  they  joined 
Washburn's  Last  Sensation,  remaining  two  seasons. 

September  27.  1875,  they  made  their  first  appearance  with  Hooley,  Hav- 
erly  and  Maguire's  Minstrels  in  Chicago. 

Subsequently  they  were  members  of  Kelly  and  Leon's  Company,  and 
then — and  then — unable  to  wait  another  day — they  launched  forth  Man- 
chester and  Jenning's  Minstrels  in  the  Spring  of  1878.  Without  going  into 
details,  it  may  be  said  that  the  season  was  a  backward  one  that  year. 

The  partnership  lasted  until  the  death  of  Johnny  Jennings. 

Bobby  Manchester  made  his  debut  on  the  stage  in  1865  with  New- 
comb's  Minstrels.  September  24,  1886.  he  gave  the  first  performance  of 
his  "Night  Owls"  Burlesque  Company:  since  which  date  he  has  been  promi- 
nently identified  with  the  burlesque  world. 


252  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Johnny  Jennings  was  an  exceptionally  clever  dancer ;  he  made  his  first 
appearance  in  his  native  city  at  old  Farrar  Hall  about  1864.  About  a  year 
later  he  joined  Morris  Brothers,  Pell  and  Trowbridge's  Minstrels  in  Erie, 
and  subsequently  appeared  with  them  in  their  Boston  theatre.  He  con- 
tinued with  this  company  for  an  extended  period,  part  of  which  time  as  Col- 
lins, Queen  and  Jennings,  they  did  an  act  called  the  "Alabama  Triplets." 

Mr.  Jennings  is  reputed  to  have  been  the  original  skate  dancer,  in  which 
he  was  marvelously  adept. 

Bob  Manchester  (Aaron  Mills),  was  born  in  Gloversville,  N.  Y.,  July  2, 

1853- 

John  Jennings  was  born  in  Erie,  Pa.,  about  1857;  he  died  there,  Novem- 
ber 7,  iJ 


George  F.  Campbell  was  one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Clipper  Quar- 
tette, who  made  their  first  appearance  at  Tony  Pastor's  Theatre  in  New 
York,  in  1879. 

Subsequently  he  separated  from  his  partners,  and  organized  a  Clipper 
Quartette  of  his  own. 

Several  years  ago  Mr.  Campbell  retired  from  theatricals,  and  entered 
the  mercantile  business,  in  which  he  is  now  engaged. 

George  F.  Campbell  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  March  6,  1853. 

Fred  Ruber  was  a  well-known  black-face  performer  more  than  thirty  years 
ago.  In  1878  Huber  and  "Boots"  Allen  did  a  black-face  musical  act;  1879; 
Ruber  and  Glidden  were  known  as  the  "Oyster  Can  Mokes" ;  subsequently 
he  married  Kitty  Allyne,  and  for  many  years  Huber  and  Allyne  played  the 
principal  variety  houses.  About  seven  years  ago  he  formed  a  partnership 
with  John  King  while  with  the  William  H.  West's  (Ricaby's)   Minstrels. 

Mr.  Ruber  was  also  well-known  as  an  excellent  "bones"  manipulator. 

Re  was  several  years  with  Gus  Hill  in  an  executive  capacity. 

Fred  Huber  was  born  in  St.  Louis,  Mo. ;  he  died  in  New  York  City, 
April  3,  1904;  age  50  years. 

Fred  Oakland  (Wright)  had  the  distinction  of  being  one  of  the  leading 
tenors  of  minstrelsy  about  twenty  years  ago.  He  had  a  remarkably  fine 
cultivated  voice  which  he  used  mostly  in  concert  work  until  about  1878, 
•when  he  left  England  for  South  Africa,  where  he  played  leading  tenor  roles 
with  the  Victoria  Loftus  Troupe  and  other  organizations,  visiting  Ceylon, 
India  and  other  countries. 

About  1883  he  came  to  the  United  States,  and  joined  Thatcher,  Prim- 
rose and  West's  Minstrels,  remaining  several  seasons ;  subsequently  he 
became  a  member  of  Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels,  and  while  with  this 
company  he  formed  the  acquaintance  of  William  H.  Thompson,  with  whom 
he  joined  George  Thatcher's  "Tuxedo"  Company. 

With  Mr.  Thompson  he  went  to  England  in  January,  1895 ;  they  re- 
mained four  years ;  the  partnership  was  then  dissolved. 

Mr.  Oakland  married  a  Miss  Stratton,  of  Swampscott,  Mass.,  in  Decem- 
ber,  1887. 

Fred  Oakland  was  born  in  London,  England;  he  died  there  October  5, 
1900;  age  46  years. 


J,   c— llAKKi.\(.li».\    &  JOHNSON— ARTHUR 


TAS.— CONNORS  &  KELLY— JAS. 
(Portraits  reversed) 


ED.— KELLY  &  O'BRIEN— JOHN 


C.  W.— COGILL  &  COOPER— FRED 


254  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Charles  Queen  (Kane)  was  one  of  the  best  clog  dancers  in  minstrelsy. 
January/26,  1882,  a't  Montreal,  Can.,  he  performed  for  the  first  time  in  public 
on  a  pedestal  fifteen  inches  square  and  six  feet  high,  on  which  he  turned 
somersaults  and  flip  flops;  this  was  while  a  member  of  Haverly's  Minstrels. 

He  was  born  in  St.  Louis,  in  1854;  he  died  in  Kansas  City,  Mo.,  June 
29,  1886.  , 

The  Diamond  Brothers  were  well-known  as  clever  song  and  dance  per- 
formers. 

They  generally  played  joint  engagements,  and  at  various  times  had 
been  with  such  well-known  minstrel  companies  as  McNish,  Johnson  and 
Slavin's,  Primrose  and  West's,  Haverly's,  Big  Four,  Gorton's,  Hi  Henry's, 
and  Al.  G.  Field's ;  with  the  latter  organization  they  had  been  associated  sev- 
eral seasons.  A  few  years  prior  to  their  deaths  they  headed  their  own 
organization. 

Matt.  Diamond  died  at  New  Castle,  Pa.,  June  14,  1907:  age  53  years. 

Lawrence  Diamond  died  at  New  Castle,  Pa.,  December  15,  1906;  age  42 
years. 

Charley  Young  began  young,  and  is  still  young.  His  career  commenced 
at  the  Palace  Varieties,  Cincinnati,  about  1865,  as  Call  Boy,  remaining  two 
years.  Being  a  natural  born  dancer,  he  took  the  place  of  Johnny  Collins 
when  the  illness  of  the  latter  prevented  him  from  appearing  in  the  Chal- 
lenge Dance,  a  feature  of  most  variety  and  minstrel  shows  of  the  early  days. 

In  1868  he  doubled  with  Billy  Reed,  and  played  variety  houses  for  two 
years ;  after  which  he  worked  single  for  some  time. 

In  1875  Tony  Pastor  sent  him  to  Albany  for  five  nights ;  he  remained 
two  years,  which  was  much  better  than  going  for  two  years,  and  remaining 
but  five  nights.  Mr.  Young  was  so  pleased  with  this  two-year  engagement 
that  he  'went  to  Heuck's  in  Cincinnati,  and  played  there  two  years.  Then 
came  a  spell  of  traveling  and  a  season  at  Leadville,  Colo. 

In  1880  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Sage  Richardson,  and  shortly 
afterwards  they  joined  Cal.  Wagner's  Minstrels. 

Subsequent  minstrel  engagements  were  with  Billy  Rice  and  Hooley's ; 
Mclntyre  and  Heath's,  and  J.  H.  Haverly's ;  remaining  three  years  with  the 
latter. 

Other  companies  were  Murray  and  Murphy,  seven  years ;  a  four-year 
starring  tour  in  "A  Soap  Bubble" ;  four  seasons  with  Bobby  Gaylor ;  in  con- 
junction with  Charles  A.  Mason,  one  season  with  Gus  Hill's  New  York 
Stars;  and  a  season  each  with  Nellie  McHenry ;  Edna  May;  and  Ward  and 
Vokes.  Mr.  Young  then  starred  four  seasons  in  melodrama  under  the  man- 
agement of  Percy  G.  Williams. 

Charles  Young  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  July  3,  1854. 

Billy  Conway  (Marble)  the  well-known  comedian,  first  appeared  profes- 
sionally about  1871,  with  Mart.  Healy,  known  as  Healy  and  Conway;  this 
was  in  his  native  city ;  he  was  with  \\'hitmore  and  Clark's  ]\Iinstre!s  several 
seasons,  where  he  joined  the  late  Johnny  Mack;  afterwards  Healy,  Saunders 
(Ella)  and  Conway  formed  an  alliance;  subsequently  he  rejoined  Mack, 
and  they  went  with   I.  W.  Baird's   Minstrels,  where  they  remained  about 


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FROM  "DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  255 

eight  seasons.  He  separated  from  Mack  about  three  years  before  his  (Con- 
way's death),  and  appeared  with  Mclntyre  and  Heath's;  Dockstader's,  and 
Wilson's   Minstrels. 

Mr.  Conway  was  one  of  the  Four  Invincibles — Conway,  Mack,  Gard- 
ner and  Clark. 

His  last  appearance  was  in  New  Haven,  Conn.,   February  29,   1892. 
Billy  Conway  was  born  in  Hartford,  Conn. ;  he  died  in  Boston,  Mass., 
March  8,  1892;  age  38  years. 

McINTYRE  and  HEATH 

are  beyond  all  question  the  greatest  duo  of  black-face  delineators  of  the  real 
Southern  darky  that  the  stage  ever  has  or  ever  will  know. 

They  give  an  absolutely  faithful  portrayal  of  the  black  man  as  he  really 
exists. 

Mr.  Mclntyre  as  a  pessimistic  coon,  and  Mr.  Heath  as  the  colored  gem- 
men  with  pronounced  optimistic  ideas  of  life,  are  excruciatingly  funny  in 
everything  they  do;  but  as  the  "Georgia  Minstrels"  their  talents  probably 
appear  to  the  greatest  advantage. 

Mclntyre  and  Heath  joined  hands  in  San  Antonio,  Te.xas,  in  the  Spring 
of  1874,  at  the  Vaudeville  Theatre.  They  played  many  variety  and  circus 
engagements  until  the  fall  of  1878,  when  they  organized  Mclntyre  and 
Heath's  Minstrels.  A  year  later  they  made  their  first  New  York  appear- 
ance at  Tony  Pastor's  Theatre ;  their  success  was  instantaneous  and  pro- 
nounced. 

In  the  Fall  of  1880  they  engaged  with  the  Alice  Gates  Company,  play- 
ing "Long  Branch." 

In  the  Fall  of  1881  they  again  headed  their  own  minstrel  organization, 
and  the  following  season  Mclntyre  and  Heath's  Specialty  Company  took 
the  road. 

In  1883  they  were  under  the  management  of  Hyde  and  Behman,  and 
the  following  season  headed  their  own  company  under  the  direction  of  Prim- 
rose and  West.     In  1886,  Spencer,  Mclntyre  and  Heath's  Minstrels  toured. 

Their  next  important  minstrel  engagement  was  with  Lew  Dockstader's 
Company  in  1891.  Subsequently  they  played  extended  engagements  with 
Hyde  &  Behman's  Company,  and  Weber  and  Fields'  organization. 

It  was  with  the  latter  company  that  their  famous  "Georgia  Minstrels" 
was  first  produced  at  the  Gayety  Theatre,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  in  August,  1894. 

Mclntyre  and  Heath  played  vaudeville  until  1906.  when  they  starred  in 
the  "Ham  Tree,"  a  big  musical  production  written  around  the  talents  of 
these  famous  funsters.  They  continued  with  that  play  for  three  seasons. 
In  1909  they  appeared  with  "In  Hayti,"  another  pretentious  musical  oiTer- 
ing,  in  which  they,  of  course,  played  black-face   parts. 

James  Mclntyre  began  his  professional  career  at  Chicago  in  the  Fall 
of  1868,  at  Pete  Kerwin's.  doing  a  song  and  dance  in  black-face ;  this  par- 
ticular song  was  called  "My  Name  Was  Little  Ned." 

The  following  year  he  went  with  Katie  Putnam's  Company,  where  he 
played  Willie  in  "East  Lynne,"  and  did  a  double  clog  with  Peter  Lester  it  is 
now,  but  at  that  time,  Peter  Johnson.     Mclntyre  and  Johnson  played  en- 


256  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

gagements  with  McKenzie's  Circus  and  Burton  and  Ridgway's  Minstrels 
and  a  return  to  Katie  Putnam's  Company. 

The  Minstrels  closed  at  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  in  the  Winter  of  1871,  and 
Mr.  Mclntyre  met  Billy  Fleming,  and  they  decided  to  become  pedestrians; 
they  "pedestered"  from  Indianapolis  to  Terre  Haute,  giving  performances 
at  the  various  school  houses  en  route. 

Evansville,  Ind.,  was  the  next  objective  point,  after  which  Mr.  Fleming 
became  enamoured  with  Mr.  Mclntyre's  professional  attire,  and  without 
permission   from  the  latter  young  man,  took  them  for  his  own. 

*  *  *  Mr.  Mclntyre's  next  engagement  was  in  a  livery  stable  in 
Henderson,  Ky.,  where  he  remained  two  months,  during  which  time  he 
organized  an  amateur  minstrel  company  from  local  talent  available ;  they 
played  four  nights,  the  receipts  of  which  were  donated  to  Mclntyre  to  get 
him  a  new  wardrobe,  and  a  ticket  to  Louisville. 

Several  of  Henderson,  Ky's.  most  prominent  future  citizens  blacked  up 
in  that  memorable  year  of  1871,  among  whom  were  Jefif.  Davis,  Harry  Gilli- 
gan,  Newton  Shaw,  John  Reichert,  Jr.,  and  "Killis"  Callender ;  and  when 
thirty-seven  years  later  Mclntyre  and  Heath  returned  to  play  an  engage- 
ment in  the  thrifty  Blue  Grass  City,  many  of  those  "minstrels  of  '71"  responded 
to  Mr.  Mclntyre's  invitation  to  a  banquet,  and  pleasant  recollections  were 
recalled. 

Mr.  Mclntyre  subsequently  formed  a  partnership  with  Mike  Butler, 
and  as  Mclntyre  and  Butler  worked  for  several  months;  subsequently  Wil- 
liam Carroll,  (afterwards  one  of  the  Miaco  Brothers),  and  Mr.  Mclntyre  were 
partners. 

In  the  Spring  of  1874  he  again  joined  Butler  and  continued  with  him 
until  he  met  Mr.  Heath. 

Thomas  K.  Heath  first  "acted"  at  Mr.  Kit  Burns'  Theatorium  in  New 
York  City,  1867;  the  salary  was  $12  per  week,  most  of  which  has  been 
invested  in  real  estate  at  Deer  Park,  Long  Island. 

Mr.  Heath  then  learned  the  trade  of  book  binder,  and  continued  at  it 
until  he  became  programmer  for  Joseph  Murphy  in  "Help";  this  was  in 
1872.  That  same  year  he  formed  a  partnership  with  George  Howard,  and 
as  Howard  and  Heath  they  did  a  black-face  song  and  dance  act,  playing  the 
many  variety  theatres,  finally  landing  at  San  Antonio,  Texas,  where  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  Mr.  Mclntyre. 

James  Mclntyre  was  born  in  Kenosha,  Wis.,  August  8,  1857. 

Thomas  K.  Heath  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  August  11,  1853. 

Al.  Decker  (Ladd)  entered  the  profession  about  1873  ^s  partner  with 
Walter  Gibbs. 

A  few  years  later  he  formed  an  alliance  with  Charles  H.  Yale,  doing 
black-face  songs  and  dances,  and  pantomimic  business.  He  continued  with 
Mr.  Yale  for  several  seasons,  and  after  the  latter  branched  into  the  man- 
agerial field,   he  also  was  with  him. 

Mr.  Decker  died  at  Fall  River,  Mass.,  January  24,  1898;  age  44  years. 

Billy  Williams  (Carmody)  ranked  with  the  best  of  wench  impersonators. 

His  stage  experience  began  at  the  age    of    three  years  at  the    Front 

Street  Theatre,  in  Baltimore.     Later  he  did  acrobatic  work  in  circuses  until 


EDDIE  MAZIER 


SAM.  LEE 


EARL   BENHAM 


HARRY    JOLSON 


CLARENCE   MARKS  ARTHUR  GUY 

THEY'RE  WORKING  NOW;  THAT'S  WHY  THEY  SMILE. 


258  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

1870,  when  on  September  30,  that  year,  he  joined  Billy  Manning's  Minstrels 
in  Chicago. 

He  remained  with  Manning  for  a  long  period,  and  then  played  the 
variety  houses  until  1876,  when  he  formed  a  partnership  with  William  J. 
Sully,  and  as  Williams  and  Sully  did  a  black-face  song  and  dance  act  for 
eleven  years. 

Since  which  time  Mr.  Williams  did  mostly  dramatic  work.  Billy 
Williams  was  born  in  New  York,  July  i,  1854;  he  died  in  Elizabeth,  N.  J., 
July  25,  1910. 

Patsy  Howard,  one  of  the  original  "Bay  State  Boys,"  made  his  first  appear- 
ance as  a  clog  and  jig  dancer  in  his  native  city  in  1868,  at  the  old  Globe  Hall. 

September  13,  1869,  he  organized  the  above  act  comprising  John  Har- 
rington, Jimmy  Fitzpatrick,  Henry  Drummond  and  Patsy  Howard,  making 
their  first  appearance  on  that  date  at  the  Howard  Athenaeum  in  Boston;  they 
remained  there  five  weeks,  doing  clog  dances.  After  that  engagement  they 
played  two  weeks  at  Morris  Brother's  Minstrels  in  the  same  city.  After 
several  variety  engagements  they  returned  to  their  native  heath  and  joined 
Dougherty,    Wild,    Barney    and    Mac's    Minstrels.     The    four    disbanded    in 

1871,  Mr.  Howard  forming  a  partnership  with  Harrington,  who  took  the 
name  of  McVickar ;  Howard  that  of  Sully ;  they  were  known  as  McVicker 
and  Sully  until  they  separated  in  1873,  after  which  he  formed  an  alliance 
with  Billy  Sully ;  this  lasted  a  year.  Mr.  Howard  then  retired  from  the  pro- 
fession in  1874,  and  lived  happily  ever  afterwards. 

Patsy  Howard  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  June  26,  1854. 

George  Richards,  the  well-known  comedian,  for  many  seasons  associated 
wHh  the  late  Eugene  Canfield,  was  a  member  of  Emerson's  Minstrels  about 
five  years,  commencing   1870;  he  was  a  regular  comic. 

Mr.  Richards  was  born  in  Somerville,  Mass.,  January  3,  1854. 

Mackin  and  Wilson  were  one  of  the  premier  song  and  dance  teams  of  min- 
strelsy during  a  period  when  that  style  of  performance  had  its  greatest  vogue 
many  years  ago. 

Jimmy  Mackin  and  Francis  Wilson  (then  known  as  Frank  "Wilson)  were 
boys  in  their  'teens  when  they  formed  a  partnership  that  lasted  for  seven 
years;  during  which  time  they  played  engagements  with  some  of  the  fore- 
most minstrel  organizations  of  their  day. 

Their  initial  appearance  as  a  team  was  at  the  Metropolitan  Theatre, 
Indianapolis,  Ind.,  August  7,  1871. 

July  I  following,  they  began  a  brief  engagement  with  Sam  Sharpley's 
Minstrels. 

Their  first  New  York  appearance  was  at  the  Comique,  commencing 
September  16,  1872 ;  they  reappeared  there  October  28,  following,  after 
which  they  opened  in  Chicago  with  Arlington,  Cotton  and  Kemble's  ]\Iin- 
strels,  December  2,  same  year.  They  remained  with  the  above  organization 
the  balance  of  the  season,  and  part  of  the  next  one,  comfriencing  August  26, 
1873.  September  3,  1874,  they  began  a  season's  engagement  with  Birch, 
Wambold  and  Backus'  famous  San  Francisco  Minstrels  in  New  York,  after 
which  they  joined  Emerson's  ]\Iinstrels,  July,  1875. 


FROM  "DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  259 

Later  they  were  with  Hooley,  Haveriy  and  Maguire. 

They  rejoined  Emerson's  Company  in  Detroit,  September  30,  1875 ; 
January  13,  1877,  they  left  Emersun ;  and  nine  days  later  became  members  of 
Sweatnam  and  Eraser's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia. 

There  Mackin  and  Wilson  decided  to  head  their  own  organization,  and 
accordingly  on  the  twenty-first  day  of  May,  1877,  Mackin  and  Wilson,  Sutton 
and  "Bernardo's"  Minstrels  left  Philadelphia  to  win  fame  and  fortune;  they 
did  neither.  The  thrilling  account  of  the  trials  and  tribulations  of  this  little 
band  are  best  explained  in  Mr.  Wilson's  own  letter,  which  will  be  found 
elsewhere  in  this  volume. 

The  name  of  the  company  underwent  several  changes  before  its  disso- 
lution in  September,  1877;  ^he  obsequies  were  held  in  Cleveland,  Ohio. 

Mackin  and  Wilson  next  engaged  with  Neil  Bryant's  Minstrels  in  New 
York,  opening  October  8  following;  they  closed  December  8. 

Shortly  after  this  they  joined  Simmons,  Slocum  and  Sweatnam's  Min- 
strels in  Philadelphia,  where  they  remained  until  the  end  of  the  season.  May 
II,  1878;  this  was  followed  by  a  supplemental  tour,  after  which  Mackin  and 
Wilson  separated,  each  going  their  respective  ways. 

James  F.  Mackin  was  an  exceptionally  clever  clog  dancer  and  good  per- 
former, when  with  Tom  Sullivan  he  joined  Harry  McCarthy's  Minstrels  in 
Indianapolis,  Ind.,  September  14,  1870.  The  team  was  known  as  Mackin 
and  Sullivan;  they  continued  with  the  company  until  it  closed,  January  26, 
1871. 

After  separating  from  Mr.  Wilson,  he  joined  the  late,  John  D.  Griffin  in 
New  York,  doing  a  black-face  song  and  dance,  week  of  July  i,  1878;  he  con- 
tinued with  Griffin  a  few  weeks,  after  which  he  became  a  member  of  Barlow, 
Wilson,  Primrose  and  West's  I^Hnstrels ;  he  remained  with  this  company 
until  1881. 

]\Ir.  Mackin  played  various  variety  engagements  after  this  until  his 
death. 

Francis  Wilson  first  made  the  acquaintance  of  burnt  cork  in  his  native  city 
in  the  middle  6o's ;  Mr.  Wilson's  parents  was  not  made  aware  of  the  acquain- 
tance until  some  time  later.  It  was  not  all  honey,  and  not  all  jam  in  those 
days,  as  Mr.  Wilson  will  Frankly  admit  (jest"). 

It  was  not  until  October  29,  1868.  that  he  saw  his  name  in  print,  for  it 
was  on  that  date  that  the  first  performance  of  the  "Amateur  Minstrels"  at ' 
the  Assembly  Buildings  in  Philadelphia  was  given ;  the  entertainment  closed 
with  the  "Grand  Duchess,  2d."    Whether  or  not  Mr.  Wilson  was  the  Duchess 
on  this  august  occasion,  history  does  not  state. 

After  severing  relations  with  Alackin,  Mr.  \\'ilson  entered  the  ranks  of 
the  Chestnut  Street  Theatre  Stock  Company  in  Philadelphia,  where,  on  Sep- 
tember 9,  1878,  he  played  his  first  part  in  white-face ;  that  of  Cdol,  in  "London 
Assurance." 

He  made  rapid  strides  in  his  new  field  of  endeavor,  and  continued  as  a 
member  of  the  stock  until  February  21,  1880;  two  days  later  he  joined  "Our 
Goblins,"  a  musical  comedy,  playing  the  role  of  Octavius  Longfellow  War- 
bler. Subsequently  Mr.  Wilson  purchased  an  interest  in  the  company,  and 
played  the  more  important  part  of  Alfred  Comstock  Silvermine. 


26o  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY. 

August  I,  1881,  he  began  a  two  weeks'  engagement  at  the  Walnut  Street 
Theatre,  Philadelphia,  as  Moe  Jewell,  in  the  "World." 

Mr.  Wilson  afterwards  returned  to  "Our  Goblins,"  and  he  also  played 
Templeton  Fake  with  Annie  Pixley  in  "M'liss."  His  subsequent  career 
in  light  opera  and  other  amusements  are  too  well  known  to  require  further 
mention. 

Probably  no  one  man  in  the  annals  of  theatricals  has  achieved  more  in 
his  chosen  profession  than  Francis  Wilson. 

When  J\Iackin  and  Wilson  dissolved  partnership  the  team  were  getting 
a  good  salary ;  and  when  Mr.  Wilson  applied  for  a  small  position  in  the  stock 
company  in  Philadelphia  he  was  told  he  would  have  to  begin  all  over  again; 
Mr.  Wilson,  however,  was  willing;  and  the  weekly  stipend  was  just  about  25 
per  cent,  of  what  he  received  as  a  song  and  dance  performer.  But  Francis 
Wilson  had  the  courage  of  his  convictions,  for  he  never  considered  his  min- 
strel and  variety  days  in  any  other  than  a  school  for  the  talents  he  later 
intended  to  develop. 

Mr.  Wilson  was  always  a  student ;  and  when  his  companions  would  in- 
vite him  to  participate  in  their  nightly  dissipations,  he  would  politely  but 
firmly  refuse ;  study  was  more  to  his  liking. 

Francis  Wilson  is  a  man  of  letters ;  the  author  of  "Reminiscences  of  a 
Fellow  Player,"  "Recollections  of  a  Player,"  and  the  comedy  in  which  he 
is  now  appearing,  the  "Bachelor's  Baby." 

Likewise  did  he  write  the  "Life  of  Jos.  Jefiferson,"  the  "Eugene  Field  I 
Knew,"  and  contributed  several  short  stories  to  magazines. 

He  is  co-proprietor  with  Mrs.  Wilson  (formerly  Miss  Myra  V.  Barrie) 
of  the  Misses  Adelaide  and  Frances  Wilson. 

James  F.  Mackin  was  born  in  Providence,  R.  L ;  he  died  in  Sturgis,  Dak., 
May  4,  1883. 

Francis  B.  Wilson  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  February  7,  1854. 

Billy  Ginniven,  the  well  known  black-face  song  and  dance  performer, 
worked  at  various  times  with  John  E.  Henshaw,  Charley  Gilday,  and  his 
wife,  professionally  known  as  Frankie  Lee,  whom  he  married  about  1878. 

He  died  in  Denver,  Colo.,  January  11,  1879. 

Petrie  and  Fish  formed  a  partnership  in  1876,  doing  a  black-face  act. 

In  1878  they  were  joined  by  Connors  and  Kelly,  and  as  the  Original 
Pour  they  met  with  great  success  in  the  United  States  and  Europe.  They 
subsequently  separated,  Mr.  Petrie  doing  an  act  with  his  wife  in  tlie  variety 
houses,  billed  as  Petrie  and  Elise,  in  "Passing  the  Toll  Gate." 

In  1896  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Petrie,  with  their  two  sons,  formed  the  Four  Oli- 
fans,  a  grotesque  act,  which  they  performed  successfully  for  several  sea- 
sons.   Mr.  Petrie  married  Margaret  Cockrell  in  1880. 

Mr.  Fish  formed  one  of  the  team  of  Fish  and  Quigg,  a  "big  and  little 
act,"  and  was  very  successful  after  separating  from  Mr.  Petrie. 

William  O.  Petrie  was  born  in  Lockport,  111.,  in  1855 ;  he  died  in  Chi- 
cago, 111.,  May  26,  1901. 

Fred  C.  Fish  died  in  New  York,  December  8,  1900 ;  age  40  years. 


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262  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Keating  and  Sands  were  one  of  the  earliest  and  best  of  black-face  musical 
acts. 

They  formed  an  alliance  in  the  70's,  which  practically  continued  until 
Mr.  Sands'  death. 

They  were  said  to  be  the  first  act  of  their  kind  to  visit  Europe ;  they 
played  a  two  years'  engagement  there  with  Hague's  Minstrels. 

Subsequent  to  the  death  of  Sands,  Mr.  Keating  worked  with  several 
partners,  notably  Harry  Barton,  Harry  Leopold  and  Tom  Ardell.  He  was 
also  of  the  team  of  Keating  and  Harris. 

John  J.  Keating  died  in  Boston,  Mass.,  April  26,  1897;  age  43  years. 

Edw.  Sands  (Stanstedt)  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.;  he  died  there  Feb- 
ruary 12,  1887;  age  30  years. 

Murphy  and  Morton  were  equally  as  well  known  in  black-face  special- 
ties as  they  were  in  white.  They  made  their  first  appearance  about  1874  with 
Tony  Pastor  in  New  York.  They  played  the  principal  variety  houses,  and 
were  with  such  well-known  minstrel  cornpanies  as  Hooley's  ;  Thatcher's,  in 
Philadelphia ;  Emerson's,  in  San  Francisco ;  Hooley's,  in  Chicago ;  Haverly, 
same  city,  and  Carncross,  in  Philadelphia.  About  1880,  they  jomed  forces  with 
Griffin  and  Rice,  and  did  a  "four"  act  for  about  two  seasons.  All  told,  Mr.  Mur- 
phy has  spent  about  twenty  years  at  Carncross',  and  half  that  at  Dumont's  Min- 
strels in  Philadelphia. 

He  has  been  also  associated  with  Alf.  Gibson,  and  produced  Murphy  and 
Gibson's  Minstrels  in  Atlantic  City,  X.  J.,  for  several  years  past. 

John  E.  Murphy  (DeAngelis)  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  July  26,  1855. 

Jos.  Morton  (McGarvey)  was  born  in  Philadelphia;  he  died  there  July 
17,  1884;  age  29  years. 


The   highest  salary  ever  drawn  by   any  black-face  team  in  the  history  of 
theatricals  was  paid  to  Mclntyre  and  Heath. 


The  Three  Rankins  achieved  enviable  distinction  fm-  their  musical  act, 
which  was  one  of  the  best.  Originally  there  were  four  brothers,  Carl,  Will, 
Rit  and  Fitch,  and  they  played  an  engagement  with  E.  M.  I-fall's  Minstrels, 
opening  in  Chicago,  June  29,  1878.  In  the  Fall  of  the  same  year  Fitch  Rankin 
retiring,  the  Three  Rankins  joined  Wagner  and  Cotton's  Minstrels  for  a  short 
season. 

The  following  year  with  Lew  Simmons,  they  organized  Simmons  and 
Rankin's  Minstrels,  and  after  the  dissolution  they  re-organized  as  Three 
Rankin's  Minstrels,  opening  at  Columbus,  Ohio,  November  27,  1879,  and 
closing  same  date. 

December  20,  1880,  they  joined  Kyle's  "Christy"  Minstrels  in  Boston  for 
a  brief  engagement. 

After  the  death  of  Rit  his  place  was  taken  by  John  Mosure,  and  as  the 
"Three  Rankins"  they  played  with  Leavitt's  Giganteans,  in  1882.  The  death 
of  Will  broke  up  the  act,  and  Carl  joined  Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West's 
Minstrels  July  3,  1885.  A  few  weeks  after  this  he  left  the  company  to  be- 
come a  partner  with  George  Wilson  in  his  company,  which  was  known  as 
Barlow,  Wilson  and  Rankin's  Minstrels. 


FROM  "DADDY  ■  RICE  TO  DATE.  263 

Carl  Rankin's  last  appearance  was  with  Lew  Dockstader's  permanent 
minstrel  company  in  New  York,  which  he  joined  in  1887. 

Carl  Rankin  had  a  supberb  bass  voice,  and  as  a  comedian  had  developed 
into  one  of  the  best  in  minstrelsy.  His  death  was  a  severe  blow  to  the  pro- 
fession. 

Rit  Rankin  died  in  Columbus,  Ohio,  December  11,  1881. 

Will  Rankin  died  in  Philadelphia,  January  31,  1885:  age  30  years. 

Carl  Rankin  was  born  in  Columbus,  Ohio,  October,  1859;  he  died  in 
Philadelphia,  November  25,  1888. 

Harrigan  and  Hart  formed  a  partnership  in  the  Spring  of  1871.  Prior  to 
this  Tony  Hart,  who  was  known  as  Master  Anthony  Cannon,  appeared  with  vari- 
ous minstrel  companies  as  a  ballad  singer. 

February  26,  1872,  they  began  an  engagement  with  Arlington,  Cotton 
and  Kemble's  Minstrels  in  Chicago.  In  later  years  they  each  played  in  black- 
face on  several  occasions,  notably  Mr.  Harrigan  as  "Pete."  Mr.  Hart  was 
probably  the  best  "genteel  wench"  that  ever  trod  the  boards. 

Edw.  Harrigan  was  born  in  New  York,  October  26,  1845. 

Tony  Hart  (Anthony  Cannon)  was  born  in  \Vorcester,  Mass.,  July  25, 
1855;  he  died  there  November  4,  1891. 

George  Robert  Guy,  the  senior  member  of  the  famous  Guy  Family,  blacked 
his  face  for  the  first  time  in  1863,  and  has  been  successfully  following  his 
profession  ever  since ;  and  is  now  fairly  in  sight  of  the  half-century  mark 
as  a  minstrel  performer.  This  is  a  record  that  is  probably  unique  in  the 
annals  of  minstrelsy ;  more  than  forty-seven  years  continuously  and  exclu- 
sively as  a  black-face  performer ;  and  the  end  is  not  in  sight,  for  those  who 
know,  declare  George  Guy  is  as  alert  and  active  as  any  performer  of  half  his 
years. 

Mr.  Guy's  first  appearance  was  in  New  York  in  1863,  dressed  as  a  little 
clown  ;  the  following  week  at  Newark,  N.  J.,  he  blacked  his  face  for  the  first 
time. 

About  two  years  later,  with  his  brother  Willie,  they  joined  Hooley's 
Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  remaining  several  months,  subsequently  play- 
ing an  engagement  with  Geo.  Christy's  in  New  York. 

October  i,  1866,  they  were  at  the  opening  performance  of  Kelly  and 
Leon's  Alinstrels  in  New  York,  where  Mr.  Guy  and  his  brother  soon  after 
produced  for  the  first  time  on  any  stage,  Mr.  Guy  claims,  a  "boy  and  girl" 
duet,  portraits  of  which  may  be  seen  elsewhere.  Mr.  Guy  continued  with 
Kelly  and  Leon  for  several  years,  and  in  the  Summer  of  1869  went  to  Eng- 
land with  Smith  and  Taylor's  ]\Iinstrels,  and  later  appeared  with  Moore  and 
Burgess'  Company  in  London.  About  1870  he  joined  Harry  Robinson's 
Minstrels,  and  some  months  later  was  with  Welch,  Hughes  and  White  in 
Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Next  came  the  organization  of  the  Guy  Bros.  Minstrels ;  subsequently 
the  Guy  Family  in  concerts,  after  which  the  Guv  Bros.  Minstrels  were  re- 
or'::;-anized,  and  J\lr.  Guy  has  been  continuously  identified  with  that  company 
for  more  than  thirty-five  years.  For  several  seasons  past  he  has  been  sole 
proprietor  and  manager.  Truly  George  Guy  is  a  monument  to  the  profes- 
sion he  so  befittingly  represents. 

George  R.  Guy  was  born  in  Hartford,  Conn.,  October  7,  1855. 


264  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

THE  FROHMANS  IN  MINSTRELSY. 

Gus  Frohman  was  manager  of  Callender's  Colored  Minstrels  in  1874,  early 
in  1882  he  was  one  of  the  proprietors.  He  was  born  in  Sandusky,  Ohio, 
about  1855. 

Daniel  Frohman  became  advance  agent  for  Callender's  Colored  Minstrels 
in  1874 ;  subsequently  he  was  with  Haverly  in  an  executive  ability.  Mr. 
Frohman  was  born  in  Sandusky,  Ohio,  about  1850. 

Charles  Frohman,  one  of  the  world's  foremost  theatrical  managers,  was 
treasurer  for  Haverly's  Mastodon  Minstrels  at  their  inception  in  Chicago, 
October  21,  1878.  In  1880  he  went  to  Europe  with  them,  and  while  there, 
December  25,  1880,  the  members  of  the  company,  to  show  the  high  esteem 
in  which  they  held  their  treasurer,  presented  him  with  a  handsome  gold 
watch,  chain  and  locket  suitably  engraved. 

Mr.  Frohman  subsequently  became  manager  of  the  company  and  con- 
tinued with  Haverly  until  January,  1882,  when  he  left,  and  in  conjunction 
with  his  brother  Gus,  became  proprietor  of  Callender's  Colored  Minstrels  a 
few  weeks  later,  and  continued  with  that  company  about  three  years. 

Charles  Frohman  was  born  in  Sandusky,  Ohio,  July  20  or  22,  1857. 

Foster  and  Hughes  were  one  of  the  great  black-face  acrobatic  song  and 
dance  teams  of  the  minstrel  and  variety  stage.  They  formed  an  alliance  about 
1876  and  continued  for  several  years. 

They  traveled  with  their  own  specialty  company  in  1886.  Subsequent 
to  their  separation,  Mr.  Foster  married  Fannie  Lewis,  and  did  an  act  with 
her  up  to  the  time  of  his  death. 

Mr.  Hughes  joined  John  Slavin  in  a  knockabout  act  after  separating 
from  Mr.  Foster;  he  has  retired  from  the  stage. 

Dave  Foster  (Patterson)  died  in  New  York,  December  6,  1898. 

Artie  Hughes  (Quigg)  was  born  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  March  28,  1855. 

John  T.  Kelly,  the  favorite  Irish  comedian,  was  an  end  man  with  Leavitt's 
Minstrels.     Ask  him  when. 

Mr.  Kelly  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  August  26,  1855. 

Wm.  F.  Hoey,  better  known  to  later  generations  of  playgoers  as  "Old  Hoss," 
was  one  of  the  cleverest  of  black-face  musical  comedians.  His  first  appear- 
ance was  in  his  native  city  at  the  Thirty-fourth  Street  Theatre  in  1873. 

In  1875  he  formed  a  partnership  with  John  F.  Fields,  and  as  Fields 
and  Hoey  continued  until  1878;  during  this  period  they  played  an  engage- 
ment with  Cal.  Wagner's  Minstrels  in  1876. 

In  1878  they  dissolved  partnership,  and  Mr.  Hoey  subsequently  and  for 
several  seasons  did  an  excruciatingly  funny  act  with  Fred  Bryant. 

Bryant  and  Hoey  played  with  Thatcher  and  Ryman's  Minstrels  in  Phil- 
adelphia, and  the  San  Francisco  Minstrels  in  New  York. 

In  1882  Mr.  Hoey,  Bryant,  and  Charles  E.  Evans  formed  the  "Meteors," 
Hoey  appearing  in  a  sketch  called  the  "Book-Agent,"  as  a  tramp ;  this  was 
the  inception  of  the  "Parlor  Match,"  with  which  he  was  identified  for  several 
years. 


W.    S.    BUDWORTH 


E.   M.   HALL 


LEW.    BRIMMER 


TOM.    WARFIELD 


f^^  ^ 


DANA    H.    CLAUDIUS  HARRY   STANWOOD 

BRILLIANT  BANJOISTS  OF  MINSTRELSY. 


266  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Mr.  Hoey  was  married  to  Helena  French,  of  the  French  Twin  Sisters, 
and  was  a  brother  of  James  F.  Hoey. 

'         Willliam  F.  Hoey  was  born  in  New  York  City,  January'i,  1855;  he  died 
there  June  9,  1897. 

The  Russell  Bros.,  famous  for  many  years  in  practically  every  variety  and 
vaudeville  theatre  in  the  land  for  their  great  act,  the  "Irish  Servant  Girls,"  began 
their  professional  career  in  January,  1877,  doing  the  old-time  specialty  of  chang- 
ing from  white  to  black  in  full  view  of  the  audience. 

About  1880  they  joined  Woodson  and  Allen's  Minstrels,  James  doing 
an  end,  and  John  singing  in  the  first  part. 

John  Russell  was  born  in  New  York  City  August  19,  1854. 

James  Russell  was  born  in  New  York  City  October  26,  1859. 

Hyde  and  Behman,  whose  theatre  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  for  many  years 
played  all  the  prominent  black-face,  as  well  as  other  luminaries,  were  the 
proprietors  and  managers  of  a  first-class  minstrel  organization  bearing  their 
names  in  1885. 

Richard  Hyde  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  May  22,  1849. 

Louis  Behman  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  June  4,  1855 ;  he  died  there, 
February  27,  1902. 

Frank  C.  Geyer,  an  excellent  acrobatic  song  and  dance  man,  made  his  first 
professional  appearance  at  Deagle's  Varieties,  St.  Louis,  Mo. ;  shortly  after 
this  he  formed  a  partnership  with  George  A.  Turner  and  Billy  Mendel, 
being  known  as  the  Big  3;  Mendel  soon  dropped  out,  and  the  team  was 
known  as  Geyer  and  Turner,  and  as  such  continued  for  several  years,  finally 
separating.  Mr.  Geyer  then  allied  himself  with  James  B.  Mackie,  and  as 
Geyer  and  Mackie  they  continued  giving  black-face  specialties ;  subsequently 
the  team  was  known  as  Geyer  and  Sylvester,  and  Geyer  and  Lord. 

He  managed  the  opera  house  at  Bellaire,  Ohio,  several  years. 

Mr.  Geyer's  first  wife  was  Amy  Nelson,  a  prima  donna,  with  whom  he 
was  professionally  associated  a  considerable  period ;  subsequently  he  mar- 
ried Mamie  Forrest,  of  the  Forrest  Sisters ;  they  played  the  principal  variety- 
houses. 

He  traveled  with  O'Brien's  Circus  for  two  years ;  and  was  one  of  the 
three  Geyer  Brothers — Frank,  Charles  and  Albert:  an  odd  coincidence  con- 
cerning the  latter  was  that  for  a  brief  period  he  did  a  black-face  song  and 
dance  act  with  Frank  Turner,  of  the  Three  Turner  Brothers,  known  as  Tur- 
ner and  Geyer;  in  one  case  a  Turner  was  associated  with  one  of  the  Three 
Geyer  Brothers ;  in  the  other  a  Geyer  worked  with  one  of  the  Three  Turner 
Brothers ;  the  two  Turners  were  not  related. 

Frank  C.  Geyer  was  born  in  Newark,  N.  J.,  September  5,  1855 ;  he  died 
at  Lexington,  Mo.,  June  4,  1900. 

Donald  Harold  (O'Donnell  Harrold)  was  once  the  "boy  tenor";  you 
wouldn't  think  so  to  see  him  now,  but  bear  in  mind  that  was  in  1872,  on 
the  first  day  of  that  year  at  Simmons  and  Slocum's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia. 

Mr.  Harold  continued  with  the  minstrels  until  August,  same  year;  his 
voice  changing,  he  also  changed  his  job,  and  two  years  and  one  month  later 


FROM  "DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  267 

he  identified  himself  with  the  famous  Holman  Opera  Troupe,  remaining 
until  May  20,  1878. 

Since  that  date  Mr.  Harold  has  been  associated  with  many  musical  and 
farcical  productions — but  no  minstrels. 

Donald  Harold  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  December  5,  1855. 

Bobby  Beach  (Anin  W.  Gardner)  entered  the  theatrical  profession  at  the 
age  of  15,  doing  a  contortion  act;  subsequently  developing  into  a  good 
dancer. 

He  was  with  Barlow,  Wilson,  Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels  in  1881, 
and  about  a  year  or  so  later  with  Otis  Bowers  formed  the  Beach  and  Bow- 
ers Minstrels,  which  were  prominent  for  several  seasons. 

He  was  seriously  injured  while  doing  a  pedestal  act. 

Bobby  Beach  was  born  in  Rome,  N.  Y. ;  he  died  in  Watertown,  Wis., 
December  i,  1905;  age  50  years. 

Tommy  Harris  (McGuigan),  one  of  the  very  few  men  left  capable  of  play- 
ing the  old-time  nigger  acts,  made  his  first  appearance  at  Fox's  Theatre, 
Philadelphia,  in  1875,  with  a  partner,  whose  name  was  Ward ;  the  team 
name  being  Ward  and  Harrison ;  subsequently  they  played  an  engagement  in 
Philadelphia  with  Skiff  and  Gaylord's  Minstrels ;  late  in  1876  they  separated. 
His  next  partner  was  Jack  McNeil;  joining  Fattie  Stewart's  Company,  the 
team  was  accidently  billed  as  Harris  and  McNeil ;  and  Harris  it  has  remained 
ever  since.  In  1879  they  joined  the  Three  Arnold  Bros.  Minstrels,  and 
while  with  this  company  they  dissolved  partnership;  McNeil  died  about 
1902. 

Mr.  Harris  then  played  variety  engagements  with  his  wife,  the  team 
being  known  as  the  Harrises,  until  1889;  he  then  taking  a  stock  engagement 
at  the  Odeon,  Baltimore,  remaining  there  10  years. 

A  season  with  his  son  and  daughter,  known  as  the  3  Harrises  followed ; 
then  he  worked  with  his  daughter  Laura  (now  of  Cartmell  and  Harris)  for 
about  four  years,  after  which  he  joined  Lew  Simmons  for  a  season ;  then  a 
brief  season  as  one  of  the  4  Cartmells,  after  which  was  Smith  and  Harris. 

Tommy  Harris  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  February  3,  1855. 

Harry  Kennedy  (W.  H.  Kennedy),  the  well-known  ventriloquist  and  song 
writer,  played  many  minstrel  engagements,  notably  with  Haverly's  Mas- 
todons. 

In  the  Fall  of  1884  he  was  associated  with  Billy  Birch  with  the  San 
Francisco  Minstrels. 

Harry  Kennedy  was  born  in  Manchester,  Eng. ;  he  died  in  Brooklyn, 
N.  Y.,  January  3,  1894;  age  39  years. 

Charley  Reed.  "Just  the  Plain  Comedian"  he  was  termed,  and  he  zvas  a 
comedian,  as  anyone  who  remembers  him  will  testify. 

Charley  Reed's  professional  career  began  and  ended  in  white-face,  but 
the  major  portion  of  it  was  given  to  minstrelsy,  where  he  was  alwaj'S  a  star. 

About  1872  h;  went  to  the  California  Theatre  in  San  Francisco,  where  he 
he  became  successively  call-boy,  prompter  and  low  comedian. 

In  1873  he  joined  Maguire's  Minstrels  at  the  latter's  opera  house  in  the 


268  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Western  metropolis.  August  31,  1874,  he  opened  for  the  season  in  Phila- 
delphia with  Simmons  and  Slocum's  Minstrels;  the  following  August  he 
joined  Emerson's  Minstrels  in  Cincinnati.  In  1876  he  returned  to  San  Fran- 
cisco, and  for  the  next  three  years  he  continued  there  with  the  minstrels  at 
Maguire's  Opera  House  and  comedian  at  the  Bella  Union  Theatre. 

July  7,  1879,  with  a  variety  company  under  the  management  of  Martin 
Simon,  he  sailed  for  Australia,  remaining  away  for  more  than  a  year.  On 
February  7,  1881,  he  began  an  engagement  with  Thatcher  and  Ryman's 
Minstrels  in  Philadelphia. 

A  season  with  "Muldoon's  Picnic,"  with  Hyde  &  Behman,  and  Mr.  Reed 
returned  with  Emerson's  Minstrels  in  San  Francisco,  subsequently  becom- 
ing a  partner  of  Emerson,  and  later  Charley  Reed's  Minstrels  held  sway  at 
the  Standard  Theatre  until  April  10,  1886.  August  16,  1886,  he  opened  at 
the  Madison  Street  Theatre  in  Chicago,  with  a  minstrel  company.  He  con- 
tinued here  a  few  weeks,  and  in  the  following  October  he  appeared  with  Lew 
Dockstader's  Minstrels  in  New  York,  playing  a  brief  engagement;  this  was 
his  last  appearance  in  black-face.  Later  he  appeared  as  Ko-Ko  in  the  "Mi- 
kado," "A  Rag  Baby,"  "City  Directory"  and  other  farcical  plays. 

At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  associated  in  partnership  with  William 
Collier  in  "Hoss  and  Hoss." 

Charley  Reed  was  born  in  New  York  City,  May  22,  1855 ;  he  died  in 
Boston,  Mass.,  November  21,  1892. 


Nat.  C.  Goodwin  in  minstrelsy?  Why,  yes.  He  commenced  an  engagement 
with  Haverly's  Minstrels  at  Chicago,  September  11,  1876,  doing  a  specialty 
consisting  chiefly  of  imitations. 


Griffin  and  Rice  ranked  with  the  premier  black-face  song  and  dance  teams 
of  minstrelsy. 

They  made  their  first  appearance  as  an  act  in  Pittsburg,  Pa.,  about  1873. 
September  15,  1875,  they  opened  with  Buckley's  Serenaders  in  Boston;  the 
season  closed  October  25,  1875. 

December  20,  same  year,  they  began  an  engagement  with  Carncross  and 
Dixey's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  and  continued  throughout  the  season. 

On  November  20,  1876,  they  opened  with  Sweatnam's  Minstrels,  also  in 
the  Quaker  City,  an  engagement  that  terminated  December  16.  Two  days 
later  they  returned  to  Carncross  and  Dixey,  where  they  remained  the  major 
portion  of  the  time  until  the  dissolution  of  their  partnership  in  1883. 

In  June,  1878,  they  played  a  limited  engagement  with  Neil  Bryant's 
Minstrels  in  New  York.  August  6,  1880,  they  were  with  Sweatnam  and 
Dougherty's  Minstrels,  and  September  6,  1881,  with  Murphy  and  Morton, 
opened  with  George  Thatcher's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  as  Murphy,  Mor- 
ton, Griffin  and  Rice. 

In  1883  Mr.  Rice  broke  away  from  his  black-face  affiliations,  and  with 
Geo.  S.  Knight's  "Over  the  Garden  Wall,"  played  a  German  comedy  role. 

About  1885  Mr.  Rice  formed  a  partnership  with  Geo.  W.  Monroe,  and 
for  several  years  they  starred  in  "My  Aunt  Bridget."  Subsequently  he  was 
identified  with  May  Irwin's  and  other  high-class  farcical  productions. 

Mr.  Rice  excels  as  a  neat  dancer,  and  as  a  light  comedian,  leaves  nothing 
to  be  desired. 


CHARLES  HILLIARD. 


270  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Of  course,  everyone  knows  that  Sallie  Cohen,  of  Rice  and  Cohen,  is 
none  other  than  Mrs.  John  C.  Rice;  as  a  guess,  the  author  would  say  the 
change  occurred  about  1890. 

James  Griffin  formed  a  partnership  with  Ned  Ainsley  in  the  late  6o's, 
doing  black-face  songs  and  dances,  and  as  Ainsley  and  Griffin  were  together 
[or  several  years. 

In  1872  Mr.  Griffin  was  with  Purdy,  Scott  and  Fostelle's  Minstrels. 

After  separating  from  Mr.  Rice,  Griffin  played  engagements  with  Carn- 
cross'  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia  and  Lew  Dockstader's  Minstrels,  in  New 
York  City ;  in  1893,  he  made  a  trip  to  South  Africa  with  Serrill's  Minstrels. 

He  also  played  in  various  melodramatic  productions. 

John  C.  Rice  (Hildeberg)  was  born  in  Beaver  Kills,  N.  Y.— the  reader 
must  guess  the  rest. 

James  Griffin  (McNally)  was  born  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  September  10, 
1852;  he  died  in  Philadelphia,  May  10,  1904. 

Fred  Hallen  (Smith),  prominent  for  many  years  as  one  of  the  famous 
farcical  duo  of  Hallen  and  Hart,  was  "Master  Ad.  Weaver"  as  late  as  April, 
1875,  doing  black-face  parts  in  acts  with  that  once  well-known  minstrel.  Ad 
Weaver. 

If  Mr.  Hallen  has  any  regrets,  he  doesn't  look  it. 

Harry  Le  Clair,  the  famous  protean  player,  had  his  experience  with  cork. 

About  1876,  at  the  Terrace  Garden,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  Manager  Dan  Shelby 
suddenly  confronted  LeClair  and  asked  him  if  he  could  play  Topsy.  Mr.  Le- 
Clair  said  he  could  play  pinochle  and  seven  up,  but  had  never  heard  of 
Topsy,  except  in  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin,"  That's  the  same  party,  said  Shelby. 
So  Mr.  LeClair  blacked  up,  and  he  blacked,  down,  he  blacked  in  and  he 
blacked  out ;  he  blacked  his  lips  and  he  blacked  his  teeth ;  and  he  probably 
would  still  be  blacking  if  the  cork  had  not  run  out.  After  the  show  they 
had  to  run  him  through  a  washing  machine  to  un-black  him. 


•"&' 


Smith  and  Byrne  were  a  well-known  black-face  musical  act  thirty  years  ago. 
Their  first  appearance  was  at  Washington  Hall  in  New  York,  in  1878,  on 
which  occasion  they  introduced  the  famous  "dislocated  organ"  solos,  of 
which  Mr.  Byrne  claims  to  be  the  originator — and  to  date  no  one  has  dis- 
puted it. 

The  team  separated  in  1884;  Mr.  Smith  later  ran  for  several  years 
Smith's  Opera  House  in  Bridgeport,  Conn. 

Mr.  Byrne  became  a  monologuist,  but  before  that,  a  pessimist. 

He  is  now  a  playwright,  and  is  willing  to  prove  it  on  the  slightest  provo- 
cation. 

Ed  C.  Smith  is  said  to  be  a  resident  of  Boston  or  its  environs. 

John  H.  W.  Byrne  was  born  in  Celbridge,  Ireland,  May  4,  1855. 

Harry  Lacy,  the  well-known  actor,  and  star  for  many  years  in  the  "Still 
Alarm,"  was  a  member  of  Harry  Robinson's  Minstrels  as  early  as  March  29, 
1873,  8:15  P.  M. 

He  sang  a  ballad  in  the  first  part,  and  sang  it  well. 


FROM  " DADDY-'  RICE  TO  DATE.  271 

Michael  F.  Hennessy,  one  of  the  Hennessy  Bros.,  was  a  well-known  min- 
strel performer.  He  went  to  Europe  with  Haverly  in  1884;  subsequently 
appearing  with  other  companies.  For  two  seasons  he  was  associated  with 
Hennessy  Bros.  Minstrels. 

His  last  engagement  was  with  Cushman  and  Thomas'  Minstrels.  He 
died  in  Milford,  Mass.,  April  24,  1890;  age  35  years. 

Percy  G.  Willi.\ms,  the  prominent  vaudeville  manager  and  theatre  owner, 
played  many  black-face  parts  while  a  member  of  the  Park  Theatre,  Brook- 
lyn, N.  Y.,  Stock  Company,  many  years  ago.  To  be  specific,  he  enacted  the 
role  of  Goliah,  a  colored  boy,  in  the  play  of  "Echoes"  week  of  October  23, 
1876.     I  have  the  programme. 

Dan  Mason,  the  tangled  Teutonic  talker,  was  a  comedian  on  the  minstrel 
first  part  at  the  old  National  Theatre.  Cincinnati.  Ohio,  in  the  Spring  of  1874. 
Dan  says  that  was  the  beginning  of  the  "end." 
Mr.  Mason  was  born  in  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  February  9,  1855. 

NiLES  and  Evans  were  an  excellent  song  and  dance  team ;  Mr.  Evans'  "make- 
up" as  a  wench  was  something  remarkable.  They  made  their  first  joint  appear- 
ance at  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  January  i,  1872,  appearing  in  white  faces  in  "Under  the 
Gaslight." 

They  subsequently  played  in  black-face,  and  made  their  initial  appear- 
ance in  minstrelsy  with  John  Hooley's  Company  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  in  April, 
1873 ;  they  remained  a  few  weeks  and  liked  it  so  well  that  they  joined  Purdy 
and  White's  Minstrels  May  19  following.  There  is  reason  to  believe  that 
they  did  not  like  this  so  well.  In  December,  1874,  Mr.  Evans  temporarily- 
retired,  and  with  Burt  Wayne,  Mr.  Niles  joined  Kelly  and  Leon's  Minstrels. 

Subsequently  they  again  joined  hands  and  continued  until  March  18,  1882; 
owing  to  the  illness  of  Mr.  Niles,  they  made  their  last  appearance  as  a  team  in 
Louisville,  Ky.,  on  the  above  date. 

Mr.  Evans'  career  since  then  is  well  known. 

On  August  18,  1882,  he  formed  an  alliance  with  Bryant  and  Hoey,  and 
for  two  years  headed  a  variety  company  in  which  the  principal  act  was  that 
of  the  "Book  Agent" ;  this  was  the  inception  of  "A  Parlor  Match,"  which 
was  first  produced  September  5,  1884,  and  which  had  a  continuous  run  for 
ten  years,  since  which  time  Mr.  Evans  has  been  successfully  manager,  pro- 
ducer, actor  and  vaudevillian. 

P.  J.  Niles  was  born  in  Syracuse,  N.  Y.,  February  8,  185 1  ;  he  died  at 
Lewis  Station,  N.  Y.,  October  17,  1882.  , 

Charles  E.  Evans  was  born  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  September  6,  1856. 

Delmore  and  Wilson  are  recognized  as  clever  performers  in  white  face,  but 
that  they  were  equally  clever  disguised  with  cork,  not  all  are  aware.  They 
made  their  first  appearance  in  Hoboken,  N.  J.  (most  anyone  can  tell  you  where 
it  is),  iq  1880,  doing  a  neat  black-face  character  change  act. 

Their  first  minstrel  engagement  was  with  Cal.  Wagner  in  1884:  subse- 
quently they  played  with  the  following  well-known  companies :  Duprez 
and  Benedict's;  Barlow  Bros,  and  Frost's;  Hi  Henry's;  Beach  and  Bower's; 


272  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

two  seasons  with  Carncross'  Minstrels,  in  Philadelphia ;  their  last  appearance 
in  black-face  was  with  Haverly's  Minstrels  about  fifteen  years  ago. 

Subsequently  they  played  six  seasons  with  ''Finnigan's  Ball"  and  two 
years  with  "The  Irish  Pawnbrokers."  These  gentlemen  also  played  several 
weeks  in  London  and  the  provinces,  and  thirteen  weeks  in  South  Africa. 

Len  Delmore  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  March  23,  1861. 

Fred  Wilson  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  September  10,  1856. 

Jerry  Hart  is  a  black-face  comedian  whom  we  should  see  more  of,  and  I 
am  sure  we  will. 

Mr.  Hart  was  raised  in  New  Orleans,  La.,  which  gave  him  an  opportu- 
nity of  studying  the  "darky"  at  close  range. 

During  ]\Ir.  Hart's  career  he  was  associated  with  such  companies  as  Bar- 
low, Wilson  and  Rankin's;  Haverly's;  Al.  G.  Fields',  and  Schilling's  Min- 
strels. 

In  1897  he  starred  with  Ned 'Monroe  in  the  "Gay  Matinee  Girl." 

About  ten  years  ago  he  went  to  England,  and  later  to  Africa,  where  Hart 
and  Leo  played  for  eight  years. 

Jerry  Hart  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  January  23,  1856. 

James  M.  Tierney  made  his  first  professional  appearance  at  the  age  of  10 
years ;  he  was  billed  as  Master  Eddy. 

About  1872  he  joined  Tim  Cronin,  and  as  Tierney  and  Cronin  they  con- 
stituted one  of  the  best  song  and  dance  teams  of  their  day,  during  which 
period  they  played  the  principal  variety  houses,  and  some  of  the  famous 
minstrel  organizations,  notably  Kelly  and  Leon's ;  Neil  Bryant's  and  Hoo- 
ley's,  in  Brooklyn. 

Mr.  Tierney  separated  from  Cronin  about  1881,  subsequently  engaging 
with  Harrigan  and  Hart  in  New  York ;  he  left  them  April  18,  1885,  after 
which  he  joined  the  Alice  Oates  Company,  where  he  remained  until  his 
death. 

James  M.  Tierney  was  born  in  New  York  in  1856;  he  died  in  St.  Louis, 
Mo.,  July  28,  1885. 

BiLLiE  Barlow  (Wm.  S.  Wyatt),  a  clever  female  impersonator  who  was 
with  Hi  Henry's  Minstrels  in  1888,  died  in  Mobile,  Ala.,  September  2,  1897; 
age  41  years. 

Fred.  Dart  was  considered  one  of  the  best  and  most  versatile  "wenches" 
in  minstrelsy ;  he  was  for  many  years  with  Sam  Hague's  Minstrels  in  Liver- 
pool, and  when  Mr,  Hague  came  to  this  country  in  1881,  Mr.  Dart  was  with 
him,  subsequently  joining  Carncross'  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  where  he 
remained  until  the  time  of  his  death. 

Fred  Dart  was  born  in  Liverpool,  England ;  he  died  in  Philadelphia, 
March  30,  1890;  age  34  years. 

Billy  (Wm.  H.)  Chace  began  his  professional  career  in  his  native  city, 
doing  an  "essence"  in  black-face ;  this  was  in  September,  1870.  His  first 
minstrel  show  was  Huntley's  Minstrels;  other  minstrel  engagements  were 
Harry  Robinson's ;  I.  W.  Baird's ;  Barlow,  Wilson's ;  Emerson's ;  Alex  Com- 


EDNA   MAY  SPOONER 


SALLIE    COHEN 


CECIL  SPOONER 


TRIXIE   FRIGANZA- 


LOTTA 


JENNIE   YEAMANS 


MAUDE  RAYMOND 


ARTIE  HALL 


BEVERLY  SITGREAVES 


THEY  ALL  BLACKED  UP. 


274  MONARCHS  OF  iMlNSTRELSY, 

stock's.  With  Will  Culhane  and  Wm.  R.  Weston  they  traveled  as  Culhane, 
Chace  and  Weston's  Minstrels  for  8  years. 

He  was  of  the  song  and  dance  teams  of  Chace  and  Davis,  Chace  and 
Yale  and  Chace  and  Buckley. 

Other  engagements  were  Washburn's  "Last  Sensation,"  3  years;  at  the 
Theatre  Comique,  Providence,  R.  I.,  3  years,  and  Rentz-Santley  Company,  3 
years ;  also  clown  with  Howe's  London  Circus  and  other  circus  engagements ; 
James  R.  Waites  Company,  3  years,  and  played  Joshua  Simpkins  in  the  play 
of  that  name  for  one  season,  also  with  Rice  and  Barton's  Company. 

Mr.  Chace  was  married  to  Miss  Kitty  Elzel,  at  Worcester,  Alass.,  April 
18,  1882;  subsequently  he  became  the  husband  of  Henrietta  St.  Felix,  of  the  4 
St.  Felix  Sisters,  at  Bainbridge,  Ga.,  February  i,  1893. 

Mr.  Chace  says  that  he  is  of  the  opinion  that  Chace  and  Davis  at  the 
Wigwam  Theatre,  Paterson,  N.  J.,  February,  1873,  were  the  first  to  do  a 
black-face  "gagging"  turn ;  I  place  it  up  to  my  readers. 

Billy  Chace  was  born  May  31,  1856;  at  Providence,  R.  L 

LEW  DOCKSTADER  (Geo.  Alfred  Clapp). 

Minstrelsy  didn't  commence  with  Lew  Dockstader,  but  Lew  Dockstader 
commenced  with  minstrelsy,  and  has  been  associated  with  it  ever  since, 
always  appearing  in  black  face,  a  distinction  enjoyed  but  by  few  burnt-cork 
artists.  Mr.  Dockstader's  success  is  due  to  many  things,  the  most  con- 
spicuous being  his  ability  to  ascertain  just  what  the  public  wants  and  when 
it  wants  it ;  and  then  giving  it  to  them. 

The  name  of  Dockstader  has  been  a  household  word  for  many  years ; 
the  fame  of  Dockstader  will  live  forever. 

Mr.  Dockstader's  initial  appearance  dates  back  to  1873,  when,  in  his 
native  city  he  was  a  member  of  an  amateur  organization  by  the  very  min- 
strel name  of  Earl,  Emmett  and  Wild's  Minstrels ;  with  Frank  Lawton  he 
did  a  song  and  dance  act  under  the  team  name  of  Lawton  and  Clapp.  That 
there  was  some  class  even  at  that  early  date  to  the  great  artist  in  embryo,  is 
evinced  from  the  fact  that  the  late  Harry  Bloodgood,  who  was  at  that  time 
organizing  a  company,  engaged  young  Clapp,  and  he  forthwith  became  a 
member  of  Bloodgood's  Comic  Alliance,  opening  in  Springfield,  Mass.,  about 
September  i,  1873,  and  continuing  the  season. 

The  following  year  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Johnny  Mack,  and  as 
Mack  and  Clapp  joined  Whitmore  and  Clark's  Minstrels,  remaining  until 
the  Spring  of  the  next  year. 

From  1875  to  1876  he  was  associated  with  Mart  Healy,  also  Healy  and 
Ella  Saunders,  playing  the  variety  houses,  and  billed  as  the  "Big  Three." 
Then  something  happened.  Mr.  Dockstader  fell  into  some  money ;  but  how 
fall  out?  Have  a  theatre  of  your  own,  someone  suggested.  Accordingly,  on 
the  nth  day  of  September,  1876,  Newton's  Varieties,  in  Hartford,  Conn., 
was  opened  under  the  management  of  Lew  Clapp ;  four  weeks  later  the  name 
of  the  theatre  was  changed  to  the  Adelphi  and  as  the  Adelphi  it  continued 
until  January  13  following,  when  Mr.  Clapp  surrendered  the  reins  of  man- 
agement to  the  more  venerable  Ad.  Weaver. 

Thinking  he  had  said  goodby  to  the  theatrical  business  for  good  and 
all,  ^Ir.  Clapp   (who  still  retained  some  of  his  inheritance)   set  out  for  Cali- 


LEW.  DOCKSTADER. 


FROM  -DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE. 


-/  0 


fornia,  vvlicre  he  reached  in  clue  time.  This  was  before  the  day  of  "Seeing 
San  Francisco"  cars  were  in  evidence ;  nevertheless  he  saw  all  that  was 
worth  seeing  before  it  dawned  upon  him  that  the  end  of  his  money  had  been 
nearly  reached. 

"^ate  in  the  guise  of  Cogill  and  Cooper  appeared  on  the  scene,  and  in 
May,  1877,  opened  the  new  Adelphi  Theatre  in  the  great  Western  metropolis ; 
Lew  Clapp  doing  a  song  and  dance,  "Peter,  You're  in  Luck  This  Morning," 
was  one  of  the  features  of  the  bill. 

After  a  pleasant  and  profitable  engagement  of  several  months  he  joined 
Sargent's  Minstrels  for  a  tour,  opening  early  in  September  and  closing  in 
Sacramento,  Cal.,  December  10,  1877. 

He  gradually  worked  his  way  to  New  York,  where  in  August,  1878,  he 
formed  a  partnership  with  Charles  Dockstader,  doing  black-face  songs  and 
dances ;  the  alliance,  which  was  known  as  the  Dockstader  Brothers,  contin- 
ued until  the  illness  of  Charles  Dockstader  caused  a  severance  of  their  busi- 
ness relations  in  Philadelphia,  in  March,  1883.  Mr.  Dockstader  made  his 
initial  appearance  with  his  new  partner  in  Jersey  City,  September,  1878 ;  they 
remained  there  several  weeks. 

Their  first  minstrel  engagement  was  with  Jerry  Thomas'  Minstrels  in 
New  York  at  the  P)righton  Theatre  (present  site  of  Bijou)  December  30, 
1878. 

They  then  played  the  principal  variety  houses  until  the  commencement 
of  the  season  of  1880  when  they  joined  Carncross'  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia 
for  the  season ;  the  following  year  they  returned  there,  and  remained  until 
about  January  i,  1882,  when  they  joined  George  Thatcher's  Minstrels,  also  in 
Philadelphia,  for  a  brief  engagement,  terminating  January  21st;  a  week  later 
they  opened  with  Haverly's  Minstrels  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  for  the  balance  of 
the  season. 

In  the  Fall  of  1882  they  again  returned  to  Carncross',  in  Philadelphia, 
where  after  the  sickness  of  Charles  Dockstader  in  March,  1883,  Lew  Dock- 
stader remained  until  the  season  closed ;  drawing  the  double  salary  for  his 
individual  services,  and  generousl}'  sharing  it  with  his  afflicted  partner. 

Mr.  Dockstader  began  his  fourth  season  with  Carncross  in  the  Fall  of 
1883 ;  he  continued  there  until  the  Spring  of  1886.  On  the  17th  day  of  Sep- 
tember that  year,  Dockstader's  Minstrels  opened  as  a  permanent  institution 
in  New  York  City,  where  for  more  than  three  years  he  held  forth,  surrounded 
at  all  times  with  the  luminaries  of  the  minstrel  world;  during  this  period  he 
made  a  trip  to  California  with  his  company. 

The  final  performance  was  given  December  9,  1889. 

December  23,  1889,  he  opened  with  Hermann's  Trans-Oceanic  A'audeville 
Company  for  a  limited  engagement. 

The  following  month  he  became  a  member  of  Primrose  and  West's 
Minstrels  and  continued  with  them  until  the  Spring  of  1891,  after  which  he 
joined  George  Thatcher's  Minstrels  in  San  Francisco,  and  finished  the  sea- 
son with  that  company. 

Dockstader's  Minstrels  were  next  organized  for  a  road  tour  and  made 
their  first  appearance  at  Dayton,  Ohio,  July  23,  1891.  They  traveled  success- 
fully until  February  20,  1895 ;  on  that  date  giving  their  closing  performance 
in  Cincinnati.  * 

Mr.  Dockstader  immediately  entered  vaudeville,  and  continued  in  it  sue- 


276  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

cessfnllv  until  1898,  when  in  connection  with  George  Primrose,  a  minstrel 
company  bearing  their  names  was  organized.  It  traveled  for  five  years  dur- 
ing which  time  it  gave  universal  satisfaction. 

In  1903  Mr.  Dockstader  again  headed  his  own  aggregation ;  each  year 
since  then  successfully  conducting  it  on  lines  that  have  long  since  made  it 
synonymous  with  all  that  is  best  in  minstrelsy. 

]\Ir.  Dockstader  does  what  no  other  black-face  monologuist  has  ever  at- 
tempted, namely,  to  give  a  different  specialty  every  season,  each  one  being 
an  expensive  scenic  affair  that  requires  generally  a  full  stage  to  properly 
produce. 

Lew  Dockstader  was  born  in  Hartford,  Conn.,  August  7,  1856. 

Tom  SadleRj  a  well-known  comedian,  was  a  member  of  Haverly's  Mastodons 
at  their  inception  in  1878;  he  went  to  England  with  them  in  1880,  and  con- 
tinued with  them  several  years  after.  He  was  of  the  team  of  Green  and 
Sadler,  and  later  Morton  and  Sadler.  Mr.  Sadler  was  born  in  Nashville, 
Tenn.,  October  16,  1856;  he  died  in  Liverpool,  England,  December  31,  1893. 

Billy  Stiles  (Lyons),  a  well-known  performer  of  three  decades  ago,  who 
was  at  one  time  connected  with  Haverly's  Minstrels,  and  Washburn's  Circus, 
was  a  native  of  Bridgeport,  Conn.  He  died  in  Newark,  N.  J.,  October  10, 
1909;  age  53  years. 

Rice  and  Barton,  famous  for  many  years  for  their  burlesque  productions, 
did  a  great  black-face  act  in  1882,  and  three  years  later  headed  Rice  and  Barton's 
Minstrels. 

Rice  and  Barton  were  brothers,  and  up  to  the  time  of  the  death  of  the 
former,  comprised  one  of  the  oldest  theatrical  partnerships  in  existence.' 

George  W.  Rice  (Swope)  was  born  in  Three  Springs,  Pa.,  September  13, 
1858;  he  died  at  Centreport,  Long  Island,  N.  Y.,  December  22,  1909. 

Charles  Barton  (Swope)  was  born  in  Three  Springs,  Pa.,  in  1856. 

Chas.  H.  Yale  had  a  varied  experience  as  a  black-face  performer  before  he 
could  tack  the  words,  "Manager  of  Devil's  Auction,"  to  his  name. 

Mr.  Yale  first  appeared  professionally  at  Haverhill,  Mass.,  in  1873,  doing 
a  black-face  banjo  act.  He  next  worked  in  acts  with  Neil  Burgess,  in  white- 
face.  Subsequently  he  did  a  black-face  act  with  George  Austin,  and  later 
with  Harry  Fielding. 

About  1875  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Al.  Decker,  and  as  Yale  and 
Decker  they'  traveled  for  several  seasons.  Mr.  Yale  also  achieved  marked 
success  as  a  pantomimist. 

Charles  H.  Yale  was  born  at  Laconia,  N.  H.,  February  13,  1856. 

The  Hogan  Bros,  formed  a  partnership  in  the  middle  70's,  doing  black-face 
songs  and  dances;  their  greatest  success  was  with  the  "Happy  Hottentots." 

They  had  been  with  various  minstrel  and  specialty  companies  during  the 
eighteen  years  they  were  associated  together. 

Harry  Hogan  had  been  business  manager  at  the  Bijou  Theatre  in  Jersey 
City,  N.  J.,  almost  fifteen  years. 

Gus  Hogan  had  been  manager  for  various  burlesque  companies,  after  their 
separation. 


25 


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278  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Harry  Hogan  (Hornidge)  was  born  in  New  York,  in  1857;  he  died  in 
Jersey  City,  N.  J.,  October  26,  1905. 

Gns  Hogan  (Rohling)  was  born  in  New  York;  he  died  at  Fair  Haven, 
N.  J.,  May  30,  1908;  age  50  years. 

HooLEY  AND  THOMPSON  formed  a  partnership  about  187 1,  doing  black-face 

songs  and  dances. 

Their  first  prominent  engagement  was  with  Welch,  Hughes  and  White's 
Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  They  were  with  .Haverly's  Mastodons  in  1878, 
and  went  to  Europe  with  them  in  1880,  and  continued  with  Haverly  some 
time  after  that. 

Subsequently  they  were  with  Wilson  and  RanTvin's  Minstrels.  In  Sep- 
tember, 1887,  they  joined  Rice,  Hart,  and  Ryman's  Minstrels;  this  was  their 
last  joint  engagement. 

They  separated  about  August,  1888;  Mr.  Hooley  subsequently  acting  in 
an  official  capacity  at  his  uncle's  (R.  M.  Hooley)  theatre  in  Chicago. 

Mr.  Thompson  afterward  playetl  in  white-face  with  Joe  Murphy's  Irish 
dramas,  and  for  several  seasons  was  the  latter's  manager. 

Bob  Hooley  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  he  died  in  Chicago,  III.,  Jan- 
uary 24,  1899. 

Dan  Thompson  (Sallows)  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  August  27,  1857. 

Maurice  Haley,  one  of  the  original  Electric  Three,  comprising  Callan, 
Haley  and  Callan,  was  a  comedian  and  dancer,  and  one  of  the  organizers  of 
the  Electric  Three  Minstrels  about  1887.    . 

He  died  in  New  York  August  28,  1890;  age  t,t,  years. 

J.  W.  Kelly  (Shields),  famous  the  country  over  as  the  "Rolling  Mill  Man," 
and  one  of  the  greatest  natural  wits  the  world  ever  knew,  did  a  black-face 
act  with  Charles  Dockstader  at  the  London  Theatre,  New  York,  on  the  night 
of  October  23,  1884,  called  "Worse  and  Worse." 

Mr.  Kelly,  who  was  a  wonderful  Irish  comedian,  was  born  in  Philadel- 
phia, in  1857 ;  he  died  in  New  York,  June  26,  1896 

Tim  Cronin  made  his  first  appearance  at  the  "House  of  Commons"  in  1869. 
This  was  not  the  famous  place  where  the  Britishers  make  their  laws ;  not, 
not ;  for  Timothy  did  not  have  political  aspirations  for  many  years  after  that. 

It  was  in  1870  that  he  played  his  first  minstrel  engagement  as  "Master 
Charley,"  doing  a  jig  and  song  and  dance,  -with  Bryant's  Company  in  his 
native  city.  •  ■■   ■ 

A  year  or  two  later  he']-8lftM  Jatnfes  Tierney,  and  as  Tierney  and  Cronin 
one  of  their  great  acts  was  the  "Ashante  Recruits;''  ■r">--.lA.-  =-  ' 

During  the  decade  they  were  together  they  playea'  several  important 
minstrel  engagements,  such  as"  Kelly  and  Leon's;  Neil  Bryant's,  and  Hoo- 
ley's,  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.  With  Tierney  arid  Lester  and  Allen,  Mr.  Cronin 
formed  the  "Four  Aces"  in  1877,  continuing  as  a  quartette  for  one  season. 

Mr.  Cronin  next  went  with  Harrigan  and  Hart  in  New  York,  where 
about  1881  he  left  Tierney.  and  subsequently  allied  himself  with  Master  Martin, 
Dan  Waldron  and  William  Smith,  and  for  several  seasons  traveled  as  the  "Big  j" 
In  1886  he  joined  Lew  Dockstader's  Minstrels  at  ^'yt\r  permanent  home  in 
New  York  City. 


FROM  "DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  279 

For  several  years  Mr.  Cronin  has  been  playing  white-face  comedy  parts, 
the  first  of  which  was  with  Tony  Hart  in  a  "Toy  Pistol";  he  continued  with 
Hart  until  the  sad  ending  of  the  latter's  career. 

Since  then  he  has  been  identified  with  many  famous  farcical  fellows, 
and  also  has  to  his  credit  a  three-year  engagement  with  Augustin  Daly  in 
New  York. 

After  Mr.  Cronin's  long  experience  in  the  varieties,  it  was  but  natural 
that  he  should  take  "A  Trip  to  the  Vaudevilles" ;  and  he  did  ;  George  M. 
Cohan  wrote  it,  and  Tim  Cronin  played  it  in  fourteen  parts ;  that  is,  he  por- 
trayed fourteen  dififerent  characters. 

Tim  Cronin  was  born  in  New  York  City,  November  4,  1857. 

Connors  and  Kelly.  Jimmy  Connors,  of  the  old  team  of  Connors  and  Kelly, 
joined  the  latter  about  1871,  and  continued  together  19  years.  They  went  to 
England  in  1876,  and  remained  eight  years.     He  was  once  of  the  "Big  4." 

Maggie  Weston,  well  known  for  her  comedy  characterizations  of  the 
rough  Irish  woman,  was  his  wife ;  they  were  married  July  3,  1888. 

Jimmy  Connors  was  born  in  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  April  1856;  he  died  in  New 
York  City,  January  3,  1909. 

Jimmy  Kelly  died  about  15  years  ago. 

"Buck"  Sheffer  (Chas.  Sheflfer)  at  a  very  early  age  appeared  in  acts  with 
Otto  Burbank.  In  the  middle  70's  he  worked  with  Bob  Slavin,  as  Shefifer 
and  Slavin,  subsequently  appearing  with  Mike  Foley,  as  Sheffer  and  Foley. 

About  1880  he  joined  Harry  Blakely  and  continued  with  him  until  the 
death  of  the  latter. 

In  the  character  of  a  rough  wench  he  excelled. 

Of  late  years  Mr.  Sheffer  has  been  working  in  vaudeville  with  his  daugh- 
ter, a  young  lady  of  unusual  talents. 

"Buck"  Sheffer  was  born  in  Baltimore,  jMd.,  January  25,  1857. 

H.\RRY  Blakely  (Blacklock)  joined  Sheffer  about  1880,  and  together  were 
one  of  the  greatest  teams  of  their  day  in  the  characters  of  plantation  negroes. 
Prior  to  Mr.  Blakel3''s  stage  appearance,  he  was  a  page  in  Congress  for  many 
years,  and  was  a  man  of  unusual  intelligence. 

Harry  Blakely  was  born  in  Alexandria,  Va.,  1859;  he  died  in  New  York 
City,  June  i,  1891. 

John  Blackford,  a  most  excellent  portrayer  of  the  plantation  darky,  was  with 
Cleveland's  Minstrels  season  of  1895-96,  and  1898  he  was  a  member  of 
Haverly's  last  minstrel  company ;  he  subsequently  joined  Al.  G.  Field's  Min- 
strels, where  he  remained  until  his  death. 

Mr.  Blackford's  "Coon  from  Arkansaw"  was  one  of  the  gems  of  latter 
day  minstrelsy. 

John  Blackford  died  at  Charleston,  W.  Va.,  December  7,  1903 ;  age  46 
years. 

Fred  A.  Bell  (Herrick)  with  his  partner,  Sam  Flowe,  created  considerable 
stir  by  dancing  a  clog  on  a  marble  pedestal  and  turning  a  somersault  in  the 


28o  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

air.     He  was  with  Barlow,  Wilson,  Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels  in  i88l, 
and  the  following  season  joined  the  Barlow,  Wilson  Minstrels. 

Fred  A.  Bell  was  born  in  Toledo,  Ohio;  he  died  in  Louisville,  Ky., 
March  17,  1884;  age  27  years. 

Pete  Mack  (McGlone),  the  well-known  and  capable  comedian,  joined  J.  C. 
Harrington  about  1873,  doing  double  songs  and  dances ;  the  partnership  con- 
tinued about  four  years,  when  Mr.  Mack,  who  was  working  under  his  own 
name,  went  with  the  New  Orleans  Minstrels.  October  21,  1878,  using  the 
name  of  Mack,  he  joined  Haverly's  Original  Mastodon  Minstrels  in  Chicago, 
and  continued  with  Mr.  Haverly  off  and  on  for  several  seasons ;  in  the  Fall 
of  1881  he  was  with  Emerson's  Minstrels  in  San  Francisco. 

Mr.  Mack  was  with  Haverly  on  the  latter's  second  trip  to  England,  in 
1884;  while  there  he  received  an  offer  from  "Pony"  Moore  to  join  Moore 
and  Burgess'  Minstrels  in  London ;  he  accepted  and  remained  several  seasons. 

Subsequently  he  was  with  Dockstader's  Minstrels  in  New  York  City, 
and  with  the  "City  Directory" ;  his  last  engagement  was  with  Donnelly  and 
Girard  in  "Natural  Gas";  always  appearing  in  black-face. 

Pete  Mack  died  in  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  March  15,  1892;  age  35  years. 

Wm.  R.  Weston,  of  the  firm  of  Culhane,  Chace  and  Weston's  Minstrels,  pre- 
vious to  the  inception  of  that  organization  in  the  middle  90's,  was  with 
Emerson's  Minstrels  and  Dockstader's  Minstrels.  Was  also  with  Reilly  and 
Woods  Co.,  and  the  St.  Felix  Sisters  organizations.  He  was  an  accom- 
plished musician  and  leader. 

At  the  time  of  his  death  he  was  musical  director  of  the  orchestra  at  the 
Music  Hall,  Yonkers,  N.  Y. 

His  wife  was  Charlotte  St.  Felix,  of  the  4  St.  Felix  Sisters. 

William  R.  Weston  was  born  at  Stafford,  Conn.,  April  6,  1857;  he  died 
at  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  September  25,  1906. 

David  Belasco. — The  author  had  been  told  that  the  subject  of  this  sketch 
played  black-face  parts  during  his  very  early  career  in  San  Francisco ;  and  on 
September  12,  1910.  wrote  to  Mr.  Belasco  asking  him  to  verify  the  report. 

Under  date  of  November  7,  1910,  Mr.  Belasco  sent  the  following: 

"Pray  pardon  me  for  the  delay  in  replying  to  your  letter,  but  I  have  been 
much  absent  from  town  and  my  time  wholly  occupied  with  rehearsals. 

"I  am  sorry  to  say  that  Fm  afraid  I  can't  give  you  any  definite  information, 
as  it  is  from  twenty  to  twenty-five  years  ago,  and  I  really  don't  remember.  I  only 
recollect  that  I  played  many  little  parts.  Faithfully, 

"David  Belasco." 

Wonder  if  Mr.  Belasco  has  any  ideas  in  that  fertile  brain  of  his,  as  to  how  a 
minstrel  show  should  be  run  ?    Bet  he  has. 

Sallie  Cohen  played  Topsy  in  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin"  when  she  was  a  little 
girl;  she  told  me  so  herself. 

But  that  couldn't  have  been  such  a  very  long  time  ago ;  now  was  it,  Mrs.  Rice? 

Sam  Rickey  (Rich.  T.  Higgins),  one  of  the  greatest  stage  Irishmen  ever 
known,  and  who  was  an  early  partner  of  Edw.  Harrigan,  played  frequently  in 


JOHN   A.    LANG 


BOB.    TYRRELL 


RAYMOND  SHAW 


HAYDON    TILLA 


THOS.  B.   DIXON 


HARRY   SHIRLEY 


GEO.   W.   HARLEY 


HARRY  W.   ROE 


HORACE    RUSHBY 


MORE  SINGERS. 


282  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

black-face  during  his  early  career  with  Add.  \^'eaver.  He  was  also  with  Hart, 
Ryman  and  Barney's  ]\Iinstrels  in  1871. 

He  died  in  New  York,  September  10,  1885. 

Edmond  G.  Corbin,  the  Apollo  banjoist,  formerly  of  Claudius  and  Corbin, 
Hale  and:  Corbin,  and  just  Corbin,  was  one  of  the  features  of  the  Primrose  and 
Dockstader's  Minstrels  in  1901. 

Mr.  Corbin's  ideas  of  comedy  frequently  conflicted  with  those  of  Jas.  H. 
Decker. 

Mr.  Corbin  may  soon  mingle  midst  the  mirthful  and  merry  monologists. 
'■'',,     Edmond  G.  Corbin  was  born  in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  Alay  23,  1877. 

■'  A\'iLL  J.  Davis,  the  popular  and  efficient  manager  of  the  beautiful  Illinois 
Theatre  in  Chicago,  writing  to  the  author  from  Hot  Springs,  Ark.,  March  27, 
1901;,  said:  *  *  *  "Lew  Dockstader  is  billed  for  a  night  here  about  the 
middle  of  April.     Wish  I  could  stay  to  see  the  performance." 

Of  course,  you  did,  Mr.  Davis,  for  you  haven't  forgotten  your  associations 
with  Jack  Haverly.  and  when  you  took  his  famous  Georgia  Minstrels  to  Califor- 
nia in  1876.  They  were  the  first  real  colored  troupe  to  visit  the  coast;  their  suc- 
cess there  was  in  no  small  way  due  to  your  executive  ability.  Then  there  was  a 
"Will  Davis'  ]\Iinstrels"  that  toured  Canada  some  years  ago.  Wonder  who  that 
was? 

"Coal  Oil  Johnny"  (John  W.  Steele),  whose  extravagances  of  about  45 
years  ago  while  "financial  manager""  of  Skitf  and  Gaylord's  Minstrels,  are  yet 
recalled  by  many  in  and  out  of  the  profession,  is  said  to  be  living  quietly  in 
Hazleton,  Pa. 

"Coal  Oil  Johnny"  was  a  poor  boy  in  the  6o"s,  when  his  foster  parents,  who 
had  suddenly  acquired  fabulous  wealth  through  the  finding  of  oil  on  their  prop- 
erty, died  and  left  their  all  to  young  Steele.  Then  came  a  riotous  round  of  dis- 
sipations and  extravagances.  It  was  a  common  thing  for  Steele  to  buy  a  carriage 
and  team,  and  a  few  minutes  later  give  it  away  to  any  stranger  he  happened  to 
meet.  It  is  said  he  gave  a  hotel  away  in  the  same  manner.  Mr.  Steele  furnished 
the  money  for  the  minstrels,  and  diamonds  for  the  promoters,  on  the  .sole  condi- 
tion that  his  name  should  be  used  on  all  printing  as  "financial  manager,"  as  already 
stated. 

It  is  said  that  he  has  seen  no  minstrel  show  in  late  years. 

Chauncey  Olcott,  the  favorite  singing  Irish  comedian,  was  many  years  a 
minstrel. 

On  the  2ist  day  of  February,  1876,  Mr.  Olcott,  full  of  hope,  became  a 
, member  of  the  Alabama  Serenaders,  a  minstrel  company,  which  closed  at  St. 
Thomas,  Canada,  at  the  end  of  the  third  performance.  Had  the  treasurer 
of  the  organization  been  as  good  as  the  show,  thev  might  have  still  been  traveling. 
In  the  Fall  of  the  same  year  he  joined  Lew  Benedict's  Minstrels.  Mr. 
Olcott's  banner  year  as  a  minstrel  was  in  1879:  here's  the  record.  September 
13,  opened  with  Simmons  and  Slocum's  Company  in  Philadelphia;  November 
27,  he  played  a  full  season  with  the  Three  Rankin's  Minstrels,  opening  at  Co- 
lumbus, Ohio,  on  the  above  date,  and  closing  with  the  company  (which  also 
closed)  November  27,  1879.  after  a  consecutive  run  of  one  consecutive  night. 
Was  Mr.  Olcott  discouraged.?     Not  much;  he  became  a  member  of  Haverly 's 


FROM  -DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  283 

Mastodons  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y. :  prior  to  which  he  was  with  Hoolcy  and  Emer- 
son's Megatherians.  July  31,  1880,  he  opened  with  Haverly  at  the  Drury 
Lane  Theatre,  London,  England. 

October  17,  1881,  he  opened  in  San  Francisco  with  Billy  Emerson's  Min- 
strels. About  Jasuary,  1884,  he  married  Miss  Carrie  Armstrong  in  Philadel- 
phia. 

Mr.  Olcott  was  with  Carncross'  I\Iinstrels  in  Philadelphia,  where  he 
remained  about  two  or  three  years.  Seasons  of  1884-85-86  he  was  with 
Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels.  September  11,  1886,  he  again 
joined  Simmons  and  Slucum's  Company  in  the  Quaker  City. 

A  short  time  after  that  he  became  a  member  of  the  "Old  Homestead" ; 
later  he  played  Nanki  Poo  in  the  "Mikado";  subsequently  entering  the  field 
of  Irish  drama. 

Chauncey  Olcott  was  born  July  21,  1857,  at  Providence,  R.  L 

Harry  !M.  Price,  prominent  in  many  musical  productions  for  his  many  suc- 
cesses in  Dutch  comedy  parts,  was  one  of  the  Price  Bros.,  from  1877  to  1882, 
doing  black-face  song  and  dance  acts. 

Theo.  Price,  his  brother,  has  retired  from  active  theatricals  on  account 
of  illness. 

Harry  M.  Price  was  born  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  May  20,  1857. 

B.\NKS  Winter  first  appeared  theatrically  as  a  member  of  an  amateur  min- 
strel company  in  his  native  city;  that  was  in  1877. 

Mr.  Winter  became  a  real  minstrel  November  9,  1879,  at  Dayton,  Ohio, 
when  he  joined  Haverly's  Mastodons — and  there  were  others,  notably  liilly 
Arlington's;  Skiff's  California:  Leavitt's  Gigantean's ;  Haverly-Cleveland's ; 
Cleveland's  and  five  years  with  Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West's. 

In  November,  1900,  Mr.  Winter,  accompanied  by  his  charming  and  tal- 
ented young  daughter,  entered  the  vaudeville  field,  and  as  Banks  and  Win- 
ona W'inter,  traveled  for  several  seasons. 

In  the  Fall  of  1907  Mr.  Winter  played  a  brief  engagement  in  a  vaude- 
ville act,  appearing  in  black-face.  The  report  that  Mr.  Winter  didn't  black 
his  ears  or  eyes  on  this  occasion  is  manifestly  absurd. 

Mr.  Winter  was  born  in  Macon,  Ga.,  February  8,  1857;  after  which  he 
wrote  "White  Wings" ;  and  incidentally  no  one  ever  sang  it  better,  for  Banks 
Winter  was  one  of  ministrelsy's  great  tenors. 

John  D.  Gilbert  (Donohue)  formed  a  partnership  with  Billy  Courtright 
about  1871,  in  an  original  black-face  act  called  "Big  and  Little";  they  subse- 
quently had  many  imitators.  Courtright  and  Gilbert  made  their  first  New 
York  appearance  at  Charley  White's,  585  Broadway,  October  12,  1872.  Mr. 
Gilbert  later  eschewed  burnt  cork,  and  subsequently  with  Henry  V.  Donnelly 
and  Eddie  Girard  starred  in  "Natural  Gas."  Mr.  Gilbert's  time  is  not  mostly 
devoted  to  authoring  theatrical  sketches. 

John  D.  Gilbert  was  born  in  Dublin,  Ireland,  September  3,  1857. 

Wm.  J.  Sully  (Sullivan)  formed  a  partnership  with  Patsy  Howard  in  1873, 
doing   a   black-face   act ;   they   remained    together   one    season.      In    1876   he 


284  M  ON  ARCH  S  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

joined  Billy  Williams,  and  as  Williams  and  Sully  were  well  known  on  the 
variety  stage,  where  they  played  for  eleven  years. 

Mr.  Sully  afterwards  married  Nellie  Germon,  and  as  Sully  and  Germon 
did  sketches,  also  in  the  variety  theatres. 

In  1884  Williams,  Sully  and  Germon's  "Three  Sunflowers"  Company 
toured. 

Of  late  Mr.  Sully  has  been  doing  a  single  specialty  in  vaudeville.  Mr. 
Sully  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  June  23,  1858. 

Alf  Gibson,  the  well-known  comedian,  made  his  first  appearance  at  Colum- 
bus, Ohio,  as  a  clog  dancer,  during  the  festivities  that  attended  the  Goss- 
Allen  fight. 

In  1875  he  was  with  William  Lawrence  Allen's  Statue  Company;  after 
this  Gilmore  and  Gibson  did  a  song  and  dance  with  Mons.  De  Rea  Circus. 

Several  years  were  spent  in  stock  at  the  Bella  Union  and  Adelphi  Thea- 
tres in  San  Francisco. 

Subsequently  he  went  to  Carncross'  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia  and  re- 
mained four  years. 

A  trip  to  England,  and  on  the  return  he  played  an  engagement  with 
Haverly  in  Chicago,  in  1893.  Mr.  Gibson  was  twelve  years  at  Dumont's 
Minstrels  in  Philadelphia ;  two  seasons  with  George  Primrose's  Minstrels, 
and  one  season  with  Cohan  and  Harris'  Minstrels   (1908). 

Mr.  Gibson  formed  a  partnership  with  John  Murphy  that  existed  twelve 
years. 

He  married  a  Miss  Davis  October  27,  1880,  and  as  Gibson  and  Davis 
they  played  several  seasons. 

For  the  past  ten  years  he  has  been  associated  with  the  company  known 
as  Murphy  and  Gibson's  Minstrels  at  Atlantic  City,  N.  J.,  during  the 
Summer. 

Alf.  Gibson  was  born  at  Ashland,  Ohio,  September  11,  1858. 

"Master"  Martin  has  been  "Master"  Martin  for  forty  odd  years,  or  ever 
since  his  first  professional  appearance  at  the  Old  Bowery  Theatre  in  1867; 
N.  B.  Clarke  was  the  stage  manager,  and  'twas  he  that  gave  him  the  sobri- 
quet. 

"Master"  Martin  essayed  many  roles  before  he  played  his  first  min- 
strel engagement  with  Bryant's  company  in  New  York,  early  in   1875. 

February  12,  1877,  he  opened  with  Kelly  and  Leon's  Minstrels  also  in 
New  York.  Other  minstrel  engagements  were  with  Moore  and  Burgess 
in  London,  England,  where  he  remained  two  and  a  half  years. 

In  August,  1877,  he  became  a  member  of  the  Big  Four ;  Smith,  Wal- 
dron,  Morton  and  Martin ;  Mr.  Martin  continued  a  member  of  the  Big  Four 
through  its  many  changes,  for  nearly  a  quarter  of  a  century. 

In  the  Summer  of  1879  the  Big  Four  IVfinstrels  opened  in  New  York 
City. 

Mr.  Martin  has  been  associated  also  with  Simmons  and  Slocum's ;  Dbck- 
Btader's,  Rice  and  Sheppard's,  Cleveland's,  and  Haverly's  Minstrels ;  the 
latter  in  1898.  In  his  earlier  career  "Master"  Martin  was  famous  for  his 
impersonation  of  the  monkey;  and  for  five  years  he  played  Dragonfin  in 
"The  Black  Crook." 


CHAS.  AND  GUSTAVE  FROHMAN  AS  MINSTREL  MAGNATES;  1883. 


286  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

He  also  played  black-face  parts  in  "Easy  Dawson";  "The  Ninety  and 
Nine,"  and  the  "Millionaire's  Revenge. 

He  likewise  created  the  character  of  Banty  Tim,  a  dumb  negro  in  "Jim 
Bludso."  Mr.  Martin's  playing  of  this  most  difficult  pantomimic  role  was 
most  artistic. 

"Master"  Martin  was  born  in  New  York  City,  August  27,  1858. 

James  Ten  Brooke  (Sheridan  ),  first  appeared  professionally  in  1876;  Brook- 
lyn, N.  Y.,  was  where  it  happened. 

A  year  or  so  later  he  joined  Larry  Dooley  in  a  "nigger  act,"  and  con- 
tinued with  him  until  1881  :  in  1880  they  were  with  the  Big  Four  Minstrels. 
Mr.  Ten  Brooke  subsequently  played  stock  engagements  for  several  sea- 
sons, and  in  1898  rejoined  his  former  partner,  and  later  played  an  engage- 
ment with  Primrose  and  Dockstader's  Minstrels  ;  with  this  organization  Mr. 
Ten  Brooke  officiated  as  interlocutor ;  and  he  is  one  of  the  best. 

He  next  appeared  in  white-face  with  the  "Volunteer  Organist":  after 
which  with  his  daughter  and  son-in-law,  as  Ten  Brooke,  Lambert  and  Ten 
Brooke,  he  played  vaudeville.  Subsequently  Ten  Brooke  and  Henry  forme'l 
a  partnership,  and  are  now  in  vaudeville. 

James  Ten  Brooke  was  born  in  New  York,  January  23,   1858. 

James  Mack  (McAvoy),  who  attained  some  prominence  with  minstrel  shows 
as  a  female  impersonator,  died  at  Elyria,  Ohio,  November  5,  1890;  age  32 
years. 

The  Giraed  Brothers  ranked  with  the  great  black-face  song  and  dance 
teams  of  minstrelsy.  Their  first  appearance  was  made  at  the  Wigwam  Theatre,  in 
Paterson,  N.  J.,  in  1874. 

In  1876  they  were  with  Washburn's  Last  Sensation,  and  two  years  later 
they  played  a  brief  engagement  with  Ben  Cotton  and  "Happy"  Cal.  Wag- 
ner's Minstrels. 

In  1879  they  joined  Hooley  and  Emerson's  great  Megatherian  Min- 
strels ;  about  1880  they  formed  an  alliance  with  Seamon  and  Somers,  and 
were  known  as  the  "Grotesque  Four";  and  incidentally  this  was  one  of  the 
greatest  "four"  acts  ever  put  together. 

The  quartette  opened  with  Thatcher  and  R3'man's  Minstrels  in  Phila- 
delphia, December  20,  1880,  and  remained  until  the  closing  of  the  season. 
In   1881   the  four  joined  Leavitt's  Giganteans  for  the  season. 

Early  in  1882  the  four  joined  forces  with  Lester  and  Allen,  and  as  the 
"Funny  Six"  met  with  considerable  success. 

Subsequently  the  Girard  Brothers  separated,  and  Eddie  Girard  joined 
Haverly's  Minstrels,  continuing  with  them  for  several  months ;  with  this 
company,  in  conjunction  with  Callan,  Haley  and  Callan,  they  produced 
"Down  Where   the   Cotton   Grows." 

In  1884  with  the  same  organization,  Eddie  Girard  also  worked  with 
the  late  Charley  Seamon. 

After  this  engagement  Eddie  Girard  went  to  San  Francisco,  and  played 
with  Charley  Reed's  Minstrels,  after  which,  in  conjunction  with  Billy  Ar- 
lington and  Harry  Wyatt,  the  late  manager  of  the  Mason  Opera  House,  in 
Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  Arlington,  Girard  and  Wyatt's  Minstrels  made  a  brief 
tour. 


FROM  •■  DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  287 

This  was  JMr.  Girard's  last  appearance  in  black-face. 

Subsequently  as  Gilbert,  Donnelly  and  Girard,  and  later  Donnelly  and 
Girard,  "Natural  Gas"  played  several  seasons;  this  was  succeeded  by  "The 
Rainmakers"  and  "The  Geezer." 

For  several  3-ears  past,  Mr.  Girard  and  his  wife,  as  Girard  and  Gardner, 
have  played  successfully  in  vaudeville. 

\\'illie  Girard   (Maloney),  died  in  New  York,  September  5,   1892. 

Eddie  Girard  was  born  in  Paterson,  N.  J.,  August  28,  1858. 

John  Daly,  one  of  the  best  known  and  most  capable  dancers  of  modern 
minstrelsy,  made  his  first  appearance  at  St.  James  Hall,  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  doing 
a  black-face  song  and  dance.  August  9,  1878,  Mr.  Daly  became  a  member 
of  the  Barlow,  Wilson,  Primrose  and  West  Company,  and  continued  with 
them  until  the  dissolution  of  the  organization  in  1882 ;  he  then  joined  the 
Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West  Company,  at  their  inception,  and  continued 
with   them   during  their   existence,   seven  years. 

Mr.  Daly  next  allied  himself  with  the  Primrose  and  West  Company, 
and  remained  two  seasons. 

Season  of  1891-92,  he  was  with  Cleveland's  Minstrels,  and  for  the  two 
seasons  following  he  cast  his  fortunes  with  George  Thatcher  in  the  "Tuxedo" 
and   "Africa"   companies. 

Mr.  Daly  then  became  a  real  legitimate  actor  with  the  "Bowery  Girl," 
".Paradise  Alley"  and  "Sis  Hopkins"  and  "A  Daughter's  Devotion"  Com- 
pany's, and  he  also  took  the  regulation  trip  to  vaudeville  as  Daly  and  Miss 
Paine   (Mrs.  Daly),  and  Daly  and  George  Lewis. 

Our  John  was  now  really  sorry,  and  with  tears  in  his  eyes  he  "saw" 
Lew  Dockstader ;  that  gentleman  was  forgiving,  and  for  six  years  Mr.  Daly 
was  a  fixture  with  that  gentleman's  organization,  remaining  until   1910. 

O!  yes,  in  1898  "John"  was  with  the  Haverly  Minstrels,  and  one  of  the 
Big  Four — Smith,  Waldron,  Daly  and  Martin. 

Mr.  Daly  was  born  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  May  14,  1858. 

H.\RRY  AL\NN  (Emanuel  Hayman").  brother  of  Al.  Hayman  of  the  theatrical 
syndicate,  was  identified  in  an  executive  capacity  with  Haverly 's  Minstrels 
in  1878;  subsequently  he  managed  the  tours  of  Evans  and  Hoey  for  many 
seasons,  also  other  prominent  organizations.  Previous  to  his  death  he  was 
business  manager  of  the   Knickerbocker  Theatre,  New  York   City. 

Harry  Mann  was  born  in  Wheeling,  West  Va. ;  he  died  in  Saratoga, 
N.  Y.,  July  II,  1901 ;  age  about  52  years. 

Mark  Sullivan,  well  known  for  his  character  impersonations  of  prominent 
actors,  and  who  lately  scored  a  success  with  Raymond  Hitchcock  in  "The 
Man  Who  Owns  Broadway,"  was  a  black-face  song  and  dance  man  with 
the  Megatherian  Minstrels  in  1879,  and  a  good  one  "mark"  you. 

He  was  born  in  Erie,  Pa.,  April  16,  1858. 

Clarence  Burton  (De  Witt  Norris)  had  the  distinction  of  being  one  of  the 
youngest  banjoists  and  comedians  in  minstrelsy. 

His  career  began  with  the  Holman  Opera  Company  about  1870,  when 
he  had  barely  entered  his  teens.     The  following  year  he  was  in  Chicago  with 


288  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Hooley's  Minstrels ;  and  in  December,  1872,  he  was  with  Arlington,  Cotton 
and  Kemble's  Company  in  the  same  city  ;  he  became  a  member  of  Wash- 
burn's Last  Sensation  Company  in  1873,  and  a  year  later  he  was  with  Cool 
White's  Minstrels  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. 

Subsequently  he  formed  an  alliance  with  John  and  Lottie  Burton,  and 
they  played  the  principal  variety  houses  for  a  few  years. 

Clarence  Burton  was  born  in  Erie,  Pa.,  about  1857;  he  died  there  March 
12,   1885: 

Thos.  Adams,  of  the  well-known  black-face  musical  team  of  Bunnell  and 
Adams,  was  identified  with  several  prominent  companies,  and  played  the 
principal  vaudeville  theatres. 

He  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass. ;  he  died  in  Little  Rock,  Ark.,  March  10, 
1893;  age  35  years. 

Billy  Golden  (Wm.  B.  Shire)  started  theatrically  in  1874  with  Frank  Mer- 
ritt  as  a  partner,  remaining  with  him  one  year.  In  1875  he  joined  Billy 
Draiton,  and  for  ten  years  they  appeared  in  all  parts  of  the  United  States  as 
Golden  and  Draiton. 

Jn  1885  with  his  wife,  May  Golden,  played  for  several  seasons  as  The 
Goldens ;  later  this  alliance  was  augmented  by  Dick  Schalpan. 

Mr.  Golden  retired  in  1900  to  enter  hotel  life  in  Washington,  D.  C, 
where  he  remained  three  years. 

September  25,  1904,  he  joined  Joe  Hughes  as  the  team  of  Golden  and 
Hughes,  and  as  such  they  are  now  playing. 

Mr.  Golden's  wench  business  is  genuinely  funny,  and  its  worth  going 
miles  to  hear  him  sing  "Turkey  in  the  Straw." 

Billy  Golden  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  June  9,  1858. 

J.  C.  Harrington  made  his  first  appearance  with  Leslie,  Raynor  and  Smith's 
Minstrels,  at  the  Temple  of  Music  in  San  Francisco,  1868;  nigger  acts? 
Why,  yes. 

Harrington  and  McGlone  (Pete 'Mack),  were  at  Simmons  and  Slocum's 
Minstrels  in  Philadelphia  in  1873 ;  to  look  at  J.  C.  to-day,  you'd  never  believe 
it.  But  I  digress.  Harrington  and  McGlone  continued  as  a  black-face 
song  and  dance  team  until  about  1877 ;  next  came  Harrington  and  Cum- 
mings  for  a  couple  of  seasons,  and  Harrington  and  Johnson  for  eight  years. 
Mr.  Harrington  then  decided  to  go  it  alone,  and  for  three  years,  commenc- 
ing about  1891,  he  was  one  of  the  principal  comedians  of  Dockstader's  Min- 
strels   (traveling). 

Afterwards  he  made  an  extended  trip  to  Europe,  where  he  worked  with 
Burns,  of  Blocksom  and  Burns. 

For  the  past  few  years  Mr.  Harrington  has  been  associated  with  Cohan 
and   Harris'  attractions ;  appearing  in  white-face. 

J.  C.  Harrington  was  born  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  September  8,  1858. 

Edw.  C.  Dobson,  the  well-known  banjoist  and  banjo  instructor,  made  his 
first  appearance  with  the  San  Francisco  Minstrels  in  New  York  City,  about 
1868,  meeting  with  much  success  in  his  imitations  of  the  bell  chimes. 


NED.— HARRIGAN   &   HART— TONY 
(Portraits  reversed) 


JAMES— ADAMS  &  LEE— JOHN  H. 


JAKE— WELBY   &   PEARL— CHAS. 
(Portraits  reversed) 


jjll.mannixl:  lkos. 


290  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Other  minstrel  engagements  were  with  Sam  Sanford's  traveHng  com- 
pany,  and   subsequently   with  Thatcher,    Primrose   and   West's. 

Mr.  Dobson  spent  fifteen  years  in  London  and  the  provinces,  appear- 
ing  in   the   principal  halls. 

June  9,  1885,  he  won  the  gold  medal  presented  by  the  Prince  of  Wales 
(the  late  King)   in  a  competition. 

Edward  C.  Dobson  was  born  in  Newburg,  N.  Y.,  September   12,   1858. 

Wm.  E.  Hines  (Timothy  Edwin  Hines)  made  his  first  appearance  as  a  super 
at  the   Bowery  Theatre,   New   York   City,  with   George   L.   Fox. 

His  initial  black-face  appearance  was  at  Jake  Acker's  Theatre,  Troy, 
N.  Y.,  in  1873.  Early  in  his  career  he  had  as  partners  Billy  Ginniven  and 
George  Turner.  In  1876  he  joined  Frank  Cummings ;  the  team  being  known 
as  Cummings  and  Hines :  they  played  extended  engagements  at  Harrigan 
and  Hart's,  New  York   City,  and  Ben  Cotton's  Minstrels  in  Chicago. 

January  i,  1879  he  joined  Nat  Blossom,  the  team  being  known  as  Hines 
and  Blossom ;  their  first  engagement  was  at  Montpelier's  Theatre,  Cleve- 
land, Ohio ;  subsequently  Hines  and  Blossom  and  Monumental  Quartette 
Minstrels — all  at  one  time,  and  in  one  theatre ;  honest ;  ask  Bill.  After- 
wards they  were  with  Cooper  and   Bailey's   Great   London  Circus. 

Hines  and  Blossom  separated,  and  Hines  joined  his  wife,  Daisy  Rem- 
ington, now  known  as  Earle  Remington,  whose  recent  volume  of  rhymes 
have  attracted  considerable  attention,  both  in  and  out  of  the  profession ; 
this  alliance  was  formed  in  the  Fall  of  1881,  and  has  continued  ever  since. 

Mr.  Hines  claims  to  have  been  one  of  the  original  "Four  Aces" — 
Shefifer,  Nelson,  Turner  and  Hines,  at  Deagle's  Theatre,  St.  Louis,  1876;  and 
in  1887,  was  one  of  the  "American  Four,"  Pettengill,  Gale,  Hines  and  Hoyt; 
also  Niles,  Evans,  Cummings  and  Hines  as  the  "Boss  Four." 

William  E.   Hines  was  born  in  New  York  City,  July  4,   1858. 

Billy  Wood  (Max  Gottlieb).  It  is  generally  conceded,  that  as  a  black-face 
comedian  musical  moke,  Billy  W'ood  never  had  a  superior;  \Vood  was  funny 
when  he  made  his  entrance  in  that  long  dark  brown  ulster  with  padlocks 
substituting  as  buttons ;  he  was  funny  when  he  spoke,  and  funny  in  what- 
ever he  did — and  a  real  musician ;  his  performance  on  the  "cello"  brought 
tears  to  the  eyes  of  his  auditors  on  more  than  one  occasion. 

His  first  appearance  was  about  1874,  when  he  did  a  clog  with  the 
Girard  Brothers.  Wood  and  Beasley  shortly  after  formed  an  alliance, 
which  continued  about  six  years,  the  act  being  augmented  by  the  Weston 
Brothers,  and  as  Wood,  Beasley  and  the  Weston  Brothers,  they  continued 
for  about  five  years  longer. 

In  1885  Wood  was  treasurer  and  general  performer  with  Lester  and 
Allen's  Minstrels ;  here  he  met  Frank  Sheppard,  and  with  the  addition  of 
Fred  Bryant  (Bryant  &  Hoey),  they  formed  a  trio  that  continued  about  up 
to  the  time  of  the  latter's  unhappy  death  :  Wood  and  Sheppard  then  con- 
tinued as  partners  until  the  latter's  decease,  after  which  he  allied  himself 
with  William  Bates,  and  as  Wood  and  Bates  they  continued  for  five  years. 
Owing  to  partial   deafness,   Mr.   Wood  does  not  play  regularly. 

William  Wood  was  born  in  Buda  Pesth,  Hungary,  August  17,  1858, 


FROM  ■•DADDY-  RICE  TO  DATE.  291 

Frank  Siieppard  (Fash)  began  his  minstrel  career  about  1SS2  with  Loavitt's 
Gigantean  Minstrels,  as  a  cornettist.  In  18S5  he  joined  Lester  and  Allen's 
Minstrels,  here  he  formed  a  partnership  with  Billy  Wood.  Sheppard  was 
a  superb  "straight"  man,  and  a  splendid  musician;  and  as  Wood  said  "A 
better  fellow  than   Frank   Sheppard  never  lived." 

Frank  Sheppard  died  in  London,  England,  December  30,  1899;  age 
about  TiJ  years. 

Wood  and  Sheppard  began  their  joint  careers  in  1885  ;  shortly  after  Fred 
Bryant's  death  they  went  to  London,  England,  and  played  an  unsuccessful  engage- 
ment. So  far  as  the  writer  knows,  where  the  ])erformer  is  concerned,  this  was 
"the  first  and  only  unsuccessful  engagement  on  record."  The  intelligence  is 
from  the  most  authoratative  source,  from  Billy  Wood  himself.  Subse- 
quently they  played  five  seasons  with  the  Howard  Athenaeum  Company ; 
also  successful  engagements  with  Tony  Pastor's  road  show ;  Leavittt's  Gigan- 
tean Minstrels  and  Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West's  Alinstrels,  two  years, 
and  in   1895,  ^  feature  with  "Town  Topics"  Company. 

Shortly  after  this  they  went  to  London,  and  this  time  success  was 
theirs,  their  engagements  being  extended  on  several  occasions,  after  which 
they  wf^re  equally  successful   in  the  principal  cities  of  Continental    Europe. 

Dan.  E.  Lyons  entered  the  profession  at  the  age  of  twelve  years,  subse- 
quently joining  James  Leary,  and  as  Lyons  and  Leary  did  an  entertaining 
black-face  specialty.  They  joined  Hooley  and  Emerson's  Megatherians  in 
1879,  and  in  1882  in  conjunction  with  Kelly  and  O'Brien,  were  with  Billy 
Rice  and  Hooley's  Minstrels  as  the  Megatherian  Four. 

Lyons  and  Leary  separated  about  1886,  and  i\Ir.  Lyons  subsequently 
appeared  with  the  Ilyde  and  Behman  Company. 

He  was  the  author  of  several  prominent  songs,  among  which  were 
'Cigarette  McCarthy,"  and  "It's  A  Long  Lane  That  Has  No  Turn." 

Daniel  E.  Lyons  died  in  Boston,  Mass.,  January  3,  1890;  age  31  years. 

Chas.  Gilday  entered  the  profession  as  a  partner  of  Frank  Bennett:  subse- 
quently forming  a  "four"  act  with  Charley  Seamon,  Tom  Sommers  and  Billy 
Ginniven. 

Later  they  separated,  and  he  and  Ginniven  formed  an  alliance  which 
continued  practically  up  to  the  time  ]\Ir.  Gilday  married  Fannie  Beane, 
August  I,  1877,  ^t  Deadwood,  Dakota,  after  which  and  until  his  death  they 
were  known  as  Beane  and  Gilday. 

Charles  Gilday  was  born  in  Detroit,  Mich.,  about  1859;  he  died  at  sea, 
September  9,  1889. 

R.  G.  Knowles  (Richard  George  Knowles),  the  well-known  lecturer  and 
globe  trotter,  began  his  professional  career  at  the  Olympic  Theatre,  Chi- 
cago, 111.,  September,  1878,  doing  a  black-face  monologue.  Subseciucntly 
he  had  as  partners  at  various  times,  Joe.  Morton,  (Hardman),  Dick  Ford, 
Ben  Collins,  Frank  Kennedy  and  Charley  Turner. 

Mr.  Knowles  has  done  more  for  the  benefit  of  the  .American  performer 
in   England   than   any  other  one.     He   enjoys   the   distinction   of  having  re- 


292  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

ceived   a   larger   salary  in   Europe,  than  any  other   male  performer  doing  a 
"single"  act. 

R.  G.  Knowles  was  born  in  Hamilton,  Canada,  October  7,  1858. 

Vic  Richards  (Harry  Veerkamp)  found  out  long  ago  that  he  could  make 
more  money  as  fun-smith  than  he  could  as  a  lock-smith,  and  forsook  the 
latter  for  the  former,  and  at  once  became  a  hit-smith. 

He  first  appeared  professionally  as  the  "Rube"  in  Frank  Jones'  "Si 
Perkins"  Company. 

His  debut  as  a  minstrel  was  with  Sol  San's  Company.  Mr.  Richards 
next  allied  himself  with  Dumont's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  con- 
tinued for  about  twelve  years — and  that  speaks  volumes. 

In  this  year  of  1910  he  has  arranged  to  do  a  nigger  act  with  Dan  Quin- 
lan.     That's   good  enough,  isn't  it? 

Vic  Richards  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  July  10,  1858. 

Jeff  DeAngelis  (Thomas  Jefiferson  D'Angelis),  one  of  America's  foremost 
light  opera  comedians,  played  many  black-face  parts  while  in  the  stock  of  a 
San  Francisco  Theatre  in  1878;  but,  to  be  exact,  and  skip  a  couple  of  years 
or  so;  at  Bombay,  India,  June  8,  1881,  with  the  Victoria  Loftus  Troupe,  Mr. 
D'Angelis  did  an  end  on  the  first  part  and  sang  "Sweet  Evalina"  zvithont 
permission  from  Hughey  Dougherty.     Yonkers,  N.  Y.,  papers,  please  copy. 

Jeff  D'Angelis  was  born  in  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  about  1859. 

John  T.  Keegan  made  his  first  appearance  at  Hyde  and  Behman's  Theatre 
in  Brooklyn  about  thirty  years  ago,  and  immediately  jumped  into  the  front 
ranks  of  song  and  dance  performers ;  his  first  partner  was  Connie  Lynch, 
with  whom  he  did  a  white-face  song  and  dance ;  he  remained  with  Lynch 
about  two  years.  Subsequently  with  Jack  Sheehan,  Tom  Haley  and  Harry 
Talbott,  they  formed  the  Four  in  Hand." 

Mr.  Keegan  was  with  Leon  and  Cushman's  combination,  Thatcher, 
Primrose  and  West,  and  McNish,  Johnson  and  Slavin's  Minstrels. 

In  August,  1884,  with  his  partner,  Billy  Wilson,  and  Hooley  and 
Thompson,  he  did  a  "Four"  act  with  Charley  Reed's  Standard  Minstrels  in 
San  Francisco. 

John  T.  Keegan  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  September  27,  1859, 
where  he  died  June  i,  1902. 

Jerry  Cunningham  (Isaac  Depew),  made  his  first  appearance  in  Albany, 
N.  Y.,  doing  a  dancing  turn;  this  was  in  1869;  on  this  auspicious  occasion 
Jerry  picked  up  $18.00  which  was  thrown  to  him  on  the  stage ;  but  remem- 
ber that  was  1869;  in  1909,  he  would  have  had  to  split  50-50  with  the  man- 
ager,  besides   "greasing"   sundry   other   officials. 

His  first  minstrel  engagement  was  with  Smith  and  Brown's — sounds 
like  a  job  in  a  hardware  store  to  me,  but  Jerry  says  this  actually  happened 
in  1872.  Variety  engagements  single  and  with  Billy  O'Day  followed  until 
1879,  when  he  decided  to  do  an  old  darky  turn,  imitating  Harry  Woodson; 
incidentally  Mr.  Cunningham  could  not  have  selected  a  better  pattern  to 
follow. 


GEO.    THATCHER 


GEO.     EVANS 


JIMMY    MACKIN 


JOHN 

DALY 

^       ^ 

jll 

i 

'. 

h*- 

GEO.   H.  PRIMROSE  i.Kii.    WILSON 

JUST  GEORGES,  JOHN  AND  JIM. 


294  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

In  1882  he  joined  Billy  Baker  in  Kansas  City,  doing  a  black-face  act; 
this  partnership  lasted  until   1885. 

Mr.  Cunningham  played  character  parts  in  "Oliver  Twist,"  "Streets 
of  New  York,"  "Ticket  of  Leave  Man"  and  other  plays. 

In  1904  he  joined  Dumont's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  where  he  re- 
mained  several   seasons. 

Jerry  Cunningham  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  September  27,  1859. 

Henry  E.  Dixey  (Dixon),  America's  most  versatile  actor,  did  the  black-face 
act  of  "Funny  Old  Gal"  in  imitation  of  Billy  Ashcroft,  in  Boston,  Mass., 
about    1872. 

Mr.  Dixey  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  January  6,   1859. 


E.  N.  Slocum,  famous  as  an  interlocutor,  sat  on  the  end  with  Simmons  and 
Slocum's   Minstrels  in   Philadelphia,  April,   1874. 


"Jack"  (E.  L.)  Williams,  of  the  once  prominent  black-face  team  of  Lester 
and  Williams,  died  in  New  York,  July  31,  1901. 

C.  Edw.\rd  Dicken,  a  well-known  interlocutor  and  singer  of  the  present 
generation,  who  was  with  Cleveland's  Minstrels  in  1893,  and  subsequently 
with  Vogel's  Minstrels,  died  at  La  Salle,  111.,  May  19,  1900. 

George  Marion,  recognized  as  one  of  America's  most  efficient  producers  and 
stage-managers,  played  the  "bone  end"  with  Lew  Dockstader's  Minstrels 
located  in  New  York,  in  1888. 

George  Marion  was  born  in  San  Francisco,  July  16,  i860. 

Ned  Thatcher,  for  many  years  prominent  as  one  of  the  song  and  dance 
team  of  Thatcher  and  Hume,  and  later  Thatcher  and  Adair,  separated  from 
the  latter  about  August  i,   1887. 

Mr.  Thatcher  died  in  W.  Superior,  Wis.,  June  14,  1895. 

James  Pell  (McGinty)  was  for  several  seasons  the  partner  of  Tom  Lewis, 
whom  he  joined  in  a  black-face  act  called  the  "Hottentot  Musketeers"  about 

1877. 

After  they  separated  in  the  early  8o's,  Mr.  Pell  did  sketches  with  Lily 
Wilkinson. 

He  died  at  Taunton,  Mass.,  October  16,  1887. 

Frank  C.  Durell  (Otto  C.  Dickman),  of  the  well-known  Durell  Twin 
Brothers,  first  appeared  professionally  at  the  Grand  Opera  House,  Indian- 
apolis, Ind.,  with  his  brother  Ed.,  doing  acrobatic  black-face  songs  and 
dances. 

Subsequently  they  played  engagements  with  W.  W.  Cole's,  also  Sell's 
Brother's  Circus.  They  toured  the  country  for  several  years  playing  the 
principal  variety  houses,  and  were  with  Pat.  Rooney's  and  other  well-known 
organizations. 

Frank  C.  Durell  died  in  Indianapolis,  Ind.,  March  25,  1898;  age  39 
years. 


FROM  "DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  295 

HURRAH  FOR  THE  MINSTREL  BAND. 
Dedicated  to  Harry  Sanderson.  Originally  sung  by  Frank  Lewis. 

There  is  not  a  man  in  the  whole  Minstrel  Band, 

Who  would  ever  go  back  on  a  friend ; 
Tho'  dark  be  his  face,  yet  the  black  can't  efface 

The  kind  deeds  which  through  life  him  attend. 
I  hear  the  trumpet  sounding,  sounding, 

In  notes  loud  and  clear  through  the  land — 
I  list  to  its  voice,  and  it  bids  me  rejoice ; 

Then  hurrah  for  the  Minstrel  Band ! 
Then  hurrah !  then  hurrah ! 

Then  hurrah  for  the  Minstrel  band. 

I  will  speak  first  of  one  who  we  loved  in  the  past. 

He'd  a  heart  that  was  noble  and  brave — 
Nelse  Seymour,  who  never  refused  his  last  dime, 

If  he  thought  you  from  hunger  would  save. 
I  hear  his  praises  sounding,  sounding. 

In  notes  loud  and  clear  through  the  land — 
The  tall  Son  of  York,  he  died  at  his  work, 
•  And  the  pride  of  the  Minstrel  Band  ! 

And  the  pride ! — and  the  pride ! 

And  the  pride  of  the  Minstrel  Band! 

Brave  Unsworth,  he  stood  like  a  Minstrel  so  true! 

'Till  defeated  at  last  by  grim  death ; 
And  Budworth,  alas!  broke  his  old  banjo  string. 

Which  he  loved  'till  he  parted  with  breath, 
I  hear  their  dirge  now  sounding,  sounding. 

In  notes  loud  and  clear  through  the  land, 
They  lived  and  they  died  with  the  boys  that  they  loved, 

The  dear  boys  of  the  Minstrel  Band! 
The  dear  boys !  the  dear  boys ! 

The  dear  boys  of  the  Minstrel  Band! 

But  now  I  must  speak  of  the  Prince  of  them  all — 

Who  is  that  but  our  own  gallant  Dan ! 
Let  every  one  mourn,  for  our  Chieftain  is  gone — 

Dan  Bryant !  the  Minstrel  and  Man ! 
I  hear  his  praises  sounding,  sounding. 

In  notes  loud  and  clear  through  the  land. 
He  lived  and  he  died,  both  our  glory  and  pride; 

He  was  King  of  the  Minstrel  Band! 
He  was  King!  he  was  King! 

He  was  King  of  the  Alinstrel  Band! 

Note. — Between  February  2  and  April  10,  1875,  Nelse  Seymour,  Jim  Uns- 
worth, Jim  Budworth  and  Dan.  Bryant  passed  away. — .A.UTHOR. 


296  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Wilton  Lackaye,  one  of  America's  foremost  actors,  played  Uncle  Tom,  in 
"Uncle  Tom's  Cabin,"  at  the  Academy  of  Music,  New  York,  commencing 
March  4,  1901.  There  is  no  truth  in  the  report  that  Mr.  Lackaye  is  to  head 
his  own  minstrel  company  next  season. 

Billy  Benson  (James  Corrigan),  who  was  a  clever  female  impersonator 
with  various  minstrel  companies,  died  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  April  29,  1900. 

Arthur  Christie  was  an  exceptionally  clever  song  and  dance  performer 
and  comedian,  and  one  of  the  Christie  Brothers. 

He  played  successful  engagements  with  the  minstrel  companies  of 
McNish,  Johnson  and  Slavin's :  George  Wilson's,  Duprez  and  Benedict's, 
and  Rice's  World's  Fair  Minstrels  in  1890. 

Mr.  Christie  died  in  New  Castle,  Pa.,  April  12,  1899. 

Charles  Guy,  one  of  the  famous  Guy  Brothers,  entered  the  profession  about 
1873,  cloing  a  triple  song  and  dance  with  his  brothers  George  and  Willie. 
He  subsequently  became  identified  with  the  Guy  Brother's  Minstrels,  and 
has  continued  with  them  ever  since. 

Mr.  Guy  is  exceedingly  clever  as  a  clown. 

He  was  born  in  Hoboken,  N.  J.,  July  4,  i860. 

William  Gray  (his  correct  front  name  is  "Billy"),  prominent  for  several 
years  past  as  playwright  and  manager,  and  author  of  the  "Volunteer  Organ- 
ist," was  one  of  the  Glenroy  Brothers,  a  black-face  act  twenty  odd  years  ago 
when  they  played  an  engagement  with  Carncross'  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia. 

Tom  Lewis  (McGuire).  One  night  about  ten  years  ago,  Tom  Lewis  blacked 
his  face  for  the  last  time,  and  at  that  precise  moment  minstrelsy  lost  one  of 
it's  most  brilliant  lights  and  able  entertainers.  Mr.  Lewis  is  an  unctuous 
comedian ;  and  that  tells  the   story. 

He  made  his  first  appearance  professionally  with  Charley  Wilkinson's 
"Uncle  Tom's;  Cabin"  in  the  late  70's  with  Jimmy  Pell ;  and  as  Pell  and 
Lewis  they  did  a  black-face  act  for  several  years,  with  no  fears,  as  the  "Hot- 
tentot Musketeers."  Later,  and  for  two  seasons  he  was  one  of  the  Ameri- 
can Four. 

Mr.  Lewis  then  went  into  the  partnership  business,  first  with  Tom 
Martin,  then  Tom  LeMack,  then  Charley  Ernest,  and  finally  Sam  J.  Ryan ; 
with  all  of  these  he  did  black-face.  Some  of  his  more  prominent  minstrel 
engagements  were — George  Wilson's ;  Cleveland's ;  Haverly's  in  Chicago ; 
Carncross',  in  Philadelphia,  and  with  William  H.  West's  Minstrels,  which 
was  the  last,  season  of  1899-1900. 

For  the  past  few  years  he  has  been  extraordinarily  successful  in  "Little 
Johnny  Jones"  and  the  "Yankee  Prince."  As  Steve  Daly  in  the  latter  play, 
Mr.  Lewis  has  given  to  the  stage  a  piece  of  clever,  comedy  characterization 
that  is  in  a  class  by  itself. 

Tom  Lewis  was  born  in  St.  Johns,  N.  B.,  May  18,  i860. 

Herbert  Cawthorne,  with  his  brother  Joe  did  a  black-face  act  at  the  Grand 
Central  Theatre,  Philadelphia,  in  April,  1876. 

Several  years  later  he  was  again  "A  Cork  Man." 


BERT.  WILLIAMS. 


298  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

D.  W.  McCabe,  well  known  as  one  of  the  proprietors  of  McCabe  and  Young's 
Minstrels,  which  toured  the  country  for  several  seasons,  died  at  Moorcroft, 
Wyo.,  October  20,  1907;  age  47  years. 

Billy  Payne,  the  well-known  banjoist,  made  his  first  professional  appear- 
ance in  his  native  city  in  1875,  at  the  St.  Charles  Theatre,  playing  for  Lotta 
to  dance  in  the  "Little  Marchioness." 

Mr.  Payne's  first  minstrel  engagement  came  two  years  later. 

Mr.  Payne  married  in  1881,  and  as  Billy  and  Alice  Payne  toured  the 
variety  houses  for  several  seasons ;  later  he  worked  alone,  and  played  the  vaude- 
ville houses. 

He  joined  Dumont's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia,  in  1903,  for  an  extended 
engagement,  and  likewise  did  meritorious  work  in  white-face,  playing  a 
comedy  character  part  with  the  "Village  Postmaster";  also  in  black-face 
was  he  partly  responsible  for  the  "Redemption  of  David  Corson." 

Billy  Payne  was  born  in  New  Orleans,  La.,  July  16,  i860. 

Chas.  K.  French  (Krauss)  made  his  first  professional  appearance  in  his 
native  city  in  1878,  with  the  Sargent-Bailey  Stock  Company.  Subsequently, 
as  Master  Vive  Williams,  he  did  a  black-face  song  and  dance  in  the  variety 
theatres. 

Then  ca,me  French  and  Palmer  for  a  season  in  variety ;  then  French  and 
Perry  Ryan,  after  which  French  and  Alice  Clarke  played  together  for  five 
.  years.     Mr.  French  had  by  this  time  attained  recognition  as  a  banjoist. 

In  1887  he  joined  (Wm.  Henry)  Rice,  f John)  Hart  and  (Add)  Ryman's 
Minstrels ;  the  following  season  he  was  with  Barlow  Brothers  and  Frost's 
Minstrels. 

Subsequently  he  created  the  part  of  Uncle  Ned  in  "In  Old  Kentucky," 
and  continued  with  the  company  for  six  seasons. 

Other  black-face  parts  were  Jim,  in  "Huckleberry  Finn" ;  Uncle  Joshua, 
in  "Lender  Southern  Skies,"  and  with  Irene  Bentley,  in  "The  Girl  From 
Dixie." 

Then  there  was  some  more  minstrelsy ;  Will  Davis'  California  Min- 
strels, in  Canada,  and  Moran  and  Thomas'.  A  few  years  ago  Mr.  French 
"doubled"  with  "Buck"   Sheffer,  doing  a  "darky"  turn. 

Also  did  he  appear  "outside  of  cork"  with  several  prominent  plays, 
notably  "The  Still  Alarm";  "Blue  Jeans,"  and  with  James  J.  Corbett,  in 
"Gentleman  Jim." 

Charles  K.  French  was  born  in  Columbus,  Ohio,  January  18,   i860. 

Billy  Buckley  (Delehanty)  was  an  exceedingly  clever  black-face  comedian, 
and  played  with  many  first-class  minstrels  and  specialty  companies  includ- 
ing the  Rentz-Santley  Company  in  1881,  and  the  Gigantean  Minstrels  in 
1882. 

Early  in  1890  he  doubled  up  with  Billy  Jerome  and  performed  in  the 
variety   theatres. 

Mr.  Buckley  married  Lizzie  Daly,  of  the  famous  Daly  family,  about 
Kebruary,  1882 ;  Vinie  Daly,  the  clever  dancer,  is  his  daughter. 

Billy  Buckley  died  in  New  York  City,  January  13,  1894. 


FROM  "DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  299 

Boyd  and  Sarsfield  were  known  as  the  "Two  Solitaries" ;  they  became  part- 
ners in  the  late  70's,  and  continued  until  about  1887;  as  a  black-face  song  and 
dance  team  they  were  considered  good.  About  two  years  prior  and  up  to  the 
death  of  Boyd,  he  did  an  act  with  Frank  Hines  and  wife;  known  as  Boyd,  Miller 
and  Hines. 

Clarence  Boyd   (Maretta),  died  in  Chicago,  111.,  May  25,   1889. 

Steve  Sarsfield,  at  last  reports  was  in  Chicago,  an  object  of  pity  and 
commisseration. 

Chas.  R.  Bugbee,  the  well-known  agent  and  manager  of  several  minstrel 
organizations,  began  his  theatrical  career  as  a  member  of  Woodson  and 
Allen's  Minstrels,  about  1881  ;  later  he  was  with  Haverly"s  Minstrels;  with  this 
company  he  played  a  cornet  solo  in  the  band,  and  was  known  as  Charles  Baxter. 

Mr.  Bugbee  was  absent  from  minstrelsy  for  two  years  after  the  "Bax- 
ter" episode,  when  he  was  in  the  mercantile  business  in  Philadelphia;  after 
this  came  another  two  years  in  the  same  city  as  advertising  agent  of  the 
Park  and  Walnut  Street  Theatres. 

Subsequently  he  was  with  the  Haverly-CIeveland  Minstrels;  Cleve- 
land's, William  H.  West's  and  Haverly's  (Nankeville's)  IMinstrels ;  with  the 
last  two  he  was  manager. 

Mr.  Bugbee  was  general  agent  for  Charles  E.  Blaney's  attractions  for 
five  years,  and  for  a  brief  period  in  the  Summer  of  1908,  was  advance  agent 
for  Cohan  and   Harris'   Minstrels. 

Charles  R.  Bugbee  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  August  8,  i860. 

Frank  Casey,  or  little  Frankie  Casey,  as  he  was  known  in  the  Fall  of  1873 
with  the  Sharpley,  Sheridan  and  Mack  Company,  was  billed  as  "the  best 
song  and  dance  artist  living." 

A  few  years  later  he  joined  Everett  Weslyn,  and  as  Weslyn  and  Casey, 
the  "Musical  Wonders,"  they  played  at  Carncross  and  Dixey's  Minstrels 
in  Philadelphia  in  the  Fall  of  1877. 

Subsequent  to  the  death  of  ^^'esl}■n,  Mr.  Casey  formed  an  alliance  with 
James  Adams  and  Frank  Howard,  and  as  Adams,  Casey  and  Howard 
they  played  many  prominent  minstrel  and  variety  engagements,  doing  their 
comedy  musical  specialty ;  later  Mr.  Howard  retired  from  the  trio,  and 
Adams  and  Casev  opened  with  Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels  in 
July,   1885. 

About  fifteen  years  ago  Mr.  Casey  gave  a  splendid  interpretation  of 
Pepat,  the  black-face  comedy  part  in  "Wang." 

At  the  present  time  Mr.  Casey  is  said  to  be  doing  an  act  in  vaudeville 
with  Dan  Swift. 

Chas.  A.  Mason,  the  well-known  Dutch  comedian,  formerly  Mason  and 
Mason,  also  formerly  Kelly  and  I\Iason,  was  very  much  a  minstrel  before 
gaining  fame  as  Teutoner. 

In  1880  he  was  with  Billy  Arlington's  Minstrels,  and  up  until  1887  he 
played  extended  engagements  with  M.  T.  Skifif's  Minstrels,  likewise  Whit- 
more  and  Clark's. 

Charles  A.  Mason  was  born  in  Diierkheim,  Bavaria,  Germany,  July  14 
i860. 


300  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

J.  Arthur  Doty  (Oakman)  was  a  clever  female  impersonator,  and  a  bright 
writer  of  sketches,  burlesques,  etc. 

In  1879  he  worked  with  Fred  Malcolm  doing  acts  in  the  variety  houses. 

September  11,  1886,  he  began  an  engagement  with  Simmons  and  Slo- 
cum's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia;  subsequently,  and  for  about  eighteen 
months,  he  did  an  act  with  Belle  Fairmont. 

March  23,  1879  he  was  announced  to  marry  Eva  Belfontaine,  a  non- 
professional of  Denver. 

J.  Arthur  Doty  died  in  Detroit,  Mich.,  April  13,  1890. 

The  three  Crimmins  Brothers  made  their  first  appearance  as  a  team  in 
1872,  although  John  and  Steve  had  preceded  their  younger  brother  in  the 
profession  about  two  years  previous. 

They  were  among  the  earliest  of  the  three  brother  acts  in  minstrelsy, 
and  their  services  were  eagerly  sought  after  by  managers  in  general. 

They  were  identified  with  such  prominent  organizations  as  Haverly's; 
Sam  Hague's,  Billy  Arnold's,  California's  (Norcross'),  and  Sweatnam's 
Minstrels. 

John  Crimmins  died  while  with  Haverly ;  and  Steve  and  Mike  did  a 
double  act  until  about  two  years  prior  the  death  of  the  latter;  Mike  then 
worked  with  Emma  La  Mause,  whom  he  married  in  1882 ;  subsequently 
associating  himself  with  Tom  Dunn. 

John  Crimmins  died  in  Chicago,  February  7,   1884;  age  26  years. 

Steve  Crimmins  died   in  Chicago,  March  3,   1889. 

Mike  Crimmins  was  born  in  Detroit,  Mich..  March  5,  1864;  he  died  in 
Peoria,  111.,  July  8,  1890. 

Geo.  M.  DeVere  made  his  first  first  appearance  at  Booth's  Theatre,  New 
York,  in  1872,  in  King  Henry  V,  as  a  page — now  for  a  new  paragraph. 

The  following  year  he  made  his  first  black-face  appearance  in  the  con- 
cert of  Cook  and  Nelson's  Circus. 

From  1874  to  1878  he  did  a  nigger  act  with  Matt  McElroy ;  1878-79  he 
was  associated  with  Joe.  Flynn,  of  subsequent  McGinty  fame ;  also  in  black- 
face. 

When  Tommy  Devere  died,  George  DeVere  took  his  place  with  William 
Devere,  and  continued  as  the  Devere  Brothers,  until  the  death  of  the  latter  in  1882. 

Some  of  the  minstrel  companies  J\Ir.  DeVere  has  been  associated  with 
were — Skiff  and  Gaylord's,  Welch  and  Barlow's,  Andy  Leavitt's,  Welch  and 
DeVere's  and  Bill  Friday's — this  troupe  did  not  open  on  the  13th. 

Also  did  he  play  both  white  and  black  face  parts  in  "Ninety  and 
Nine";  "The  Clansman";  "Rudolph's  Ambition";  "Captain  Barrington"; 
"When  Johnny  Comes  Marching  Home"  and  many  others. 

In  1889  he  assumed  the  stage  management  of  the  Eden  Theatre  in  Pat- 
erson,  N.  J.,  and  remained  ten  years ;  subsequently  was  manager  of  the 
Eijou,  same  city,  two  years. 

Seasons  of  1909-10  Mr.  DeVere  played  the  black-face  comedy  part  in  "The 
Traveling  Salesman." 

George  M.  DeVere  was  born  in  New  York  City,  April  28,  i860. 

Geo.  T.  Martin,  who  was  also  known  as  George  Trewellyn,  began  his  min- 


"BUCK"  SHEFFER  HARRY    BLAKELY 

(SHEFFER  &  BLAKELY.) 


WM.  H.   DELEHANTY 


THOS.  M.  HENGLER 


(DELEHANTY  &  HENGLER.) 


BILLY    ASHCROFT  JOHN  W.   MORTON 

(ASHCROFT  &  MORTON.) 


3oa  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

strel  career  in  Wales,  1874,  where  he  sang  in  the  choir,  under  Caradoc  ;  sub- 
csequently,  and  for  many  years,  appearing  in  concert  work. 

In  1887  he  made  his  first  appearance  in  the  United  States,  at  Great 
Falls,  Montana.  Season  of  1888-89  he  was  with  the  Bostonian  Opera  Com- 
pany. 

Mr.  Martin  was  instrumental  in  forming  the  famous  Verdi  Quartette 
of  Boston,  and  was  a  member  of  it  until  1897;  subsequently  he  appeared  on 
the    Keith   circuit. 

In  October,  1899,  he  joined  the  Harry  Davis  Stock  Minstrels  in  Pitts- 
burgh ;  the  organization  was  short  lived,  and  Mr.  Martin  then  identified 
himself  with  Primrose  and  Dockstader  Minstrels,  and  continued  with  them 
until  1901.  A  concert  tour  was  next;  then  William  H.  West's  (Ricaby's) 
Minstrels  in   1903,  and  Haverly's   ( Nankeville's)   Minstrels,   1904. 

Mr.  Martin  joined  the  Al.  G.  Field  forces  in  1906,  and  has  been  a  valu- 
able acquisition  with  that  company  until  November,  1910. 

A  feature  of  Mr.  Martin's  repertoire  is  the  singing  of  the  old  Highland 
ballads  in  full  Scottish  costume.  His  voice,  a  pure  cultivated  tenor,  after 
thirty-five  years'  usage,  remains  as  sweet  as  ever. 

George  T.  Martin  was  born  in  Cornwall,  England,  July  23,  i860. 


As  soon  as  Lew  Dockstader  was  able  to  talk,  someone  asked  him  how 
he  liked  Hartford,  Conn.,  Capitol,  said  the  future  merry  minstrel ;  this  was 
his  first  offence. 


The  Original  American  Four  were  Joe  Pettengill,  Peter  Gale,  Peter  F. 
Dailey  and  James  F.  Hoey. 

Mr.  Pettengill  is  authority  for  the  statement  that  the  team's  initial 
appearance  was  made  in  New  York  City,  in  the  Fall  of  1879.  Originally  two 
acts,  Pettengill  and  Gale,  and  Dailey  and  Hoey,  it  was  at  the  suggestion  of 
Jac.  Aberle  that  they  combine  and  do  a  "four"  act ;  the  title,  "American  Four," 
was  given  by  Mr.  Pettengill  in  honor  of  the  theatre  where  they  made  their 
first  appearance. 

About  1884  they  split:  Pettengill  and  Gale  coptinued  in  the  "four,"  and 
Hoey  played  dates.  Dailey  and  Hoey  subsequently  doubled,  and  continued 
as  partners  until  1888.  Pettengil  later  did  an  act  for  several  seasons  with 
Nat  Haines ;  of  recent  years  he  has  been  acting  in  an  executive  capacity. 

Pete  Dailey  was  with  Weber  and  Fields'  Company  in  New  York  for 
several  seasons.  He  was  a  brother  of  Robert  Dailey,  the  well-known  come- 
dian. 

Jimmy  Hoey  did  a  black-face  monologue  for  several  years,  and  later 
worked  in  white-face  ;  he  was  great  in  black  or  white.  He  was  the  brother 
of  Old  Hoss  Hoey.     Mr.  Hoey  is  now  in  retirement. 

Jos.  Pettengill  (Geiger),  was  born  in  New  York  City,  January  13,  1854. 

Peter  H.  Gale  (Durrigan),  died  in  New  York  City,  July  10,  1891 ;  age 
36  years. 

Peter  F.  Dailey  was  born  in  New  York  City ;  he  died  in  Chicago,  111., 
May  23,  1908. 

James  F.  Hoey  was  born  in  New  York  City,  March  10,  1857. 


FROM  -DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  303 

Jack  Symonds  (John  P.  Salmonde)  began  his  career  as  a  black-face  per- 
former in  his  native  city  in  1879,  playing  variety  engagements  until  1885. 

Formed  a  partnership  with  Joe  Hughes  at  Pensacola,  Fla.,  in  1887,  later 
this  alliance  was  known  as  Symonds,  Hughes  and  Rastus ;  subsequently 
Hughes  retiring,  Symonds  and  Rastus  joined  "The  South  Before  the  War," 
remaining  four  years,  after  which  Symonds  and  Rastus  dissolved  partner- 
ship. 

Mr.  Symonds  was  afterwards  identified  with  William  Collier's  and  other 
well-known  organizations,  and  in  1899  a  return  to  the  "South  Before  the 
War"  Company.  Season  1900-01  with  Gorton's  Alinstrels ;  The  Flying  Jor- 
dans  Company  in  1901,  when  he  toured  China  and  Japan;  returning  to  Amer- 
ica, played  vaudeville  for  several  seasons,  also  at  Dumont's  Minstrels  in 
Philadelphia. 

'         Mr.  Symonds  has  been  working  in  white-face  for  the  past  seven  years. 
"Jack"  Symonds  was  born  in  Portland,  Me.,  May  3,  i860. 

The  Higgins  Brothers  were  well-known  song  and  dance  boys,  and  had  been 
associated  with  some  of  the  best  minstrel  companies,  notably  Primrose  and  West's ; 
Primrose  and  Dockstader's,  Gorton's,  and  Lucier's  Minstrels. 

In  1892  while  with  the  latter  company,  with  La  Barre  and  Mullen,  they 
formed  the  Four  Electrics. 

Jos.  Higgins  died  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  March  30,  1903. 

William  Higgins  died  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  September  11,  1905. 

Dan.  Daly,  of  the  great  Daly  family,  brother  o^  "Cap"  Bill,  Tom,  Bobby, 
Lizzie,  Margaret  and  Lucy  Daly,  and  a  great  comedian,  did  a  black-face  act 
with  his  brother  Bobby,  Barney  Fagan  and  another,  called  the  "Black  Sur- 
prise Party,"  at  the  Howard  Athenaeum  in  Boston,  Mass.,  week  of  January 
31,  1876. 

Dan  Daly  died  in  New  York,  Alarch  26,  1904. 

Eddie  Manning  (Egan)  was  the  protege  of  Billy  Manning,  and  a  comedian 
of  unusual  talent.  His  first  professional  appearance  was  about  1870.  About 
1880  he  joined  Haverly's  Minstrels,  and  remained  with  them  practically 
until  his  death.  Mr.  Manning  was  born  in  Columbus,  Ohio ;  he  died  there 
April  25,  1892 ;  age  32  years. 

W.  L.  DocKSTADER  (Wm.  Lee)  is  known  to  vaudevillians  and  others,  far  and 
wide,  as  the  manager  of  the  Garrick  Theatre,  Wilmington,  Del. 

In  the  late  8o's  in  conjunction  with  Charles  Dockstader,  they  traveled 
as  the  Dockstader  Brothers,  doing  a  black-face  act. 

Charles  Turner  (Trainer)  made  his  first  professional  appearance  with 
Sam  Price's  Minstrels. 

About  1874,  with  his  two  brothers,  he  did  a  black  face  act  in  the  variety 
houses  three  years.  About  December,  1877,  he  formed  a  partnership  with 
Charley   Gilday. 

He  was  with  Haverly's  Mastodons ;  Rice  and  Hooley's,  also  Carncross', 
and  Dumont's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia. 

In  1896  he  formed  a  partnership  with  John  Murphy,  which  lasted  sev- 


304  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

eral  years.     Outside  of  minstrelsy,  Mr.  Turner  has  been  with   David  Hen- 
derson's Extravaganzas,  also  the  "Twelve  Temptations." 

Charles  Turneh  was  born  in  New  York  City,  January  20,  i860. 

Edw.  p.  Gildea,  a  song  and  dance  performer,  and  early  partner  of  Frank 
McNish,  died  in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  July  28,  1890. 

Tom  English  is  Irish,  originally  from  Great  Britain,  now  of  New  Britain. 
Wonder  if  he  knows  Charley  Britting,  the  rotund  restaurateur  of  New  York? 

Mr.  English  did  a  musical  act  of  more  than  ordinary  merit.  His  first 
appearance  was  as  an  amateur  in  Turner  Hall,  New  Britain,  Conn.,  in  1876. 
Four  years  later  he  made  his  professional  debut  with  Heywood  Brothers'  New 
York  Serenaders. 

In  1S81  he  joined  Hi  Henry's  Minstrels,  where  for  five  years  he  was  one 
of  the  features  of  that  organization. 

After  two  years  in  the  variety  houses,  Mr.  English  went  to  London,  and 
subsequently  most  of  the  principal  cities  of  Continental  Euorpe. 

Returning  to  the  United  States,  he  joined  Hyde's  Comedians,  Septem- 
ber 5,  1892.  Mr.  English  made  several  trips  to  Europe  after  his  American 
engagement,  and  likewise  met  with  success  in  Australia  and  South  Africa. 

His  last  professional  appearance  was  at  the  Palace,  on  the  Isle  of  Man, 
August,  1902.     He  is  now  an  old  resident  of  New  Britain,  Conn. 

Tom  English  was  born  in  Portorlington,  Ireland,  September  4,  i860. 

Frank  IMcKee,  the  well-known  theatrical  magnate,  was  press  agent  for 
Leavitt's  Gigantean  Minstrels  in   1882. 

Arthur  Johnson,  of  the  old  song  and  dance  team  of  Harrington  and  John- 
son, is  now  with  Mrs.  Johnson's  Pickle  Company.  This  is  not  a  farce- 
comedv  as  one  might  believe,  but  a  permanent  organization  with  headquart- 
ers at  Richmond,  Va.  The  author  hopes  to  sample  those  pickles  on  his  next 
trip  to  the  Old  Dominion  capitol. 

Charlie  Haywood  (Wilson  B.  Howard)  was  one  of  the  original  members 
"of  the  Clipper  Quartette,  organized  in  1879,  of  which  he  was  the  bass  singer. 
He  remained  with  the  quartette  about  three  years. 
He  was  born  in  1861,  and  died  at  Peak's  Island,  Me.,  July  12,  1889. 

IMatt  McElroy  was  a  banjoist  of  uncommon  ability.  He  made  his  first 
appearance  with   Hooley's  Minstrels  in   Brooklyn,  N.   Y.,  in   1876. 

In  1877  he  joined  George  M.  DeVere  in  a  double  banjo  act,  and  contin- 
ued with  him  two  years,  after  which  he  worked  with  Harry  Colby,  as  De- 
vere  and  McElroy. 

Subsequently  he  had  various  other  partners. 

In    1886  he  married   Nellie  Mordaunt. 

Mr.  McElroy  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  July  16,  1861 ;  he  died  in  Pitts- 
burg, Pa.,  July  6,  1894. 

Mark  Murphy,  the  celebrated  Celtic  comedian,  was  not  always  thus.     In 
the  Spring  of  1877  he  was  a  member  of  Sargent's  Minstrels  in  California. 
Mr.  Murphy  was  not  born  in  Cork — but  knows  how  to  use  it. 


3o6  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Wm.  S.  Cleveland  for  several  years  held  one  of  the  highest  positions  in  the 
realms  of  burn-cork  amusements. 

It  was  of  him  that  the  late  William  H.  West  once  said — "that  he  was 
the  greatest  executive  that  minstrelsy  ever  knew."  Like  several  of  his  con- 
temporaries, he  began  his  professional  career  in  an  humble  capacity  in  his 
native  town,  and  shortly  after  went  away  with  a  circus. 

In  1882  Mr.  Cleveland  was  lithographer  with  Barlow,  Wilson,  Prim- 
rose and  West's  Minstrels;  the  three  succeeding  years  he  was  with  the 
Gigantean  Minstrels ;  Barlow,  Wilson's  Minstrels,  Cal.  Wagner's  Minstrels 
and  Hallen  and  Hart's  Company. 

July  30,  1885,  he  assumed  the  management  of  McNish,  Johnson  and 
Slavin's  Minstrels  at  the'  inception  of  that  organization,  and  continued  in 
that  capacity  for  two  seasons. 

July  18,  1887,  he  became  manager  for  Haverly's  Minstrels,  and  one 
year   later  the   famous   Haverly-Cleveland   Minstrels   blossomed   forth. 

A  few  years  later  Mr.  Cleveland  launched  the  company  that  bore  his 
name,  and  the  trade-mark  continued  as  Cleveland's  Minstrels  for  several 
seasons ;  at  one  time  there  was  three  or  four  minstrel  companies  on  the  road 
under   his   name. 

In  August,  1898,  in  conjunction  with  George  Wilson,  he  organized  the 
Cleveland-Wilson  Minstrels,  a  splendid  company  that  had  a  brief  existence. 

His  next  minstrel  venture  was  in  Chicago,  where  on  September  ?8, 
1901,  at  Steinway  Hall,  he  opened  with  Cleveland's  Minstrels;  the  season 
closed  December  21,  following.  Two  years  later  he  returned  to  Chicago, 
and  on  October  31,  1903,  he  opened  a  theatre  on  Wabash  Avenue,  giving 
drama  and  vaudeville;  the  Iroquois  fire  of  December  30  following  closed  the 
theatre. 

He  re-opened  March  5,  1904,  with  vaudeville  and  continued  until  De- 
cember ID,  at  which  time  he  bid  adieu  to  Chicago,  theatrically  speaking. 

In  the  Spring  of  1907  he  embarked  in  the  vaudeville  agency  business  in 
New  York,  where  he  is  now  located. 

William  S.  Cleveland  was  born  in  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  about   1861. 

Ed.  Rosenbaum,  the  well-known  manager,  was  press  agent  for  Cal.  Wag- 
ner's Minstrels,  commencing  about  December  i,  1873;  and  not  only  that, 
but  on  April  8,  1881,  at  Hartford,  Conn.,  in  the  American  Theatre,  sang 
"Old  Black  Joe."     In  black-face?     Well,  certainly  not  green. 

Joe  Hart  (Boudinot),  now  rated  as  one  of  the  foremost  vaudeville  pro- 
ducers, but  recently  as  one  of  the  firm  of  Hallen  and  Hart,  was  a  good  black- 
face performer  more  than  thirty  years  ago. 

For  instance,  January  24,  1880,  at  the  Bowery  Garden  Theatre,  New 
York,  Mr.  Hart  was  doing  a  song  and  dance  called  "My  Little  Treasure." 

Also  on  the  same  bill  appearing  with  Charles  Allen,  as  Allen  and  Hart 
in  a  musical  act. 

August  16,  1886,  Mr.  Hart  joined  Charley  Reed  with  the  Chicago  Min- 
strels, in  that  city. 

September  11,  same  year,  he  opened  with  Simmons  and  Slocum's  Min- 
strels in  Philadelphia,  where  he  met  with  conspicuous  success  with  his  banjo 
solos. 

Joe  Hart  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  about  1861. 


FROM  ••DADDY-  RICE  TO  DATE.  307 

Nat.  Haines  (Wm.  Vincent  Frazee).  And  now  comes  Nat.  You  know 
Nat,  do  you  not?  Well,  here's  the  story  of  his  life.  He  made  his  first  ap- 
pearance "acting  up"  at  Dramatic  Hall  in  his  native  city,  in  1875,  doing  an 
acrobatic  "Essence." 

In  February,  1876.  he  went  to  Harry  IlilTs,  also  Xew  York,  wiiere 
many  a  prominent  performer  of  to-day  received  some  of  their  best  school- 
ing; Mr.  Haines  hibernated  at  Hill's  for  one  year  at  $2.00  per — not  year,  but 
night. 

In  1877  he  played  his  first  minstrel  engagement  with  W'hitmore  and 
Clark's  Compan}',  and  continued  throughout  the  season.  The  next  two 
years  Haines  was  with  Haverly,  after  which  he  rounded  out  a  season  with 
I.  W.   r.aird's  Minstrels. 

Mr.  Haines  ne.xt  "doubled"  with  Bob  Richmond,  and  later  with  Hap 
Ward  and  Jim  Brevarde  they  formed  the  Four  Diamonds ;  this  act  was  a 
glittering  success,  and  like  all  good  diamonds,  was  worth  the  money. 

Haines  and  Vidocq  formed  a  partnership  in  J884,  and  continued  three 
years,  after  which  Mr.  Haines  was  one  of  the  "American  Four"  for  two 
seasons.  In  1889  he  again  joined  Vidocq.,  and  were  together  two  years. 
In  1891  he  formed  an  alliance  with  Joe.  Pettergill,  and  as  Haines  antl  Pet- 
tergill  they  played  all  the  principal  vaudeville  houses  for  seven  seasons. 
The  famous  "Pool  Room"  act  performed  by  this  duo,  was  one  of  the  funniest 
skits  ever  seen. 

Mr.  Haines  again  rejoined  Vidocq,  and  continued  with  him  until  1904, 
after  which  he  performed  a  black-face  monologue  for  several  seasons  with 
flattering  success. 

About  a  year  ago  Haines  and  Vidocq  for  the  fouth  time  united,  and 
are  at  present  together. 

Nat.  Haines  is  unique  in  his  particular  line;  always  original  and  spon- 
taneously funny. 

He  was  the  first  performer  that  conceived  the  idea  of  "planting"  a 
hatchet  in  the  head  ;  since  extensively  copied. 

Nat  Haines  was  born  in  New  York  City,  June  16,  1861. 

Tom  M.\rtin,  a  well-known  black-face  performer,  entered  the  profession  at 
an  early  age,  and  at  various  times  had  as  partners  Johnny  Ray  and  Tom 
Lewis. 

He  had  been  stage  manager  at  Pastor's  Theatre  in  New  York  about 
five  years  prior  to  his  death.     His  last  appearance  was  made  there. 

He  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  in  1861 ;  he  died  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y., 
July  3,  1901. 

John  E.  Kellerd,  one  of  our  leading  actors,  played  "Uncle  Tom"  at  the 
Academy  of  Music,  New  York  City,  for  several  weeks,  commencing  March 
18,  1901. 

Mr.  Kellered  was  born  in  London,  England,  May  14,   1861. 

Larry  Dooley  was  a  genuine  comedian,  and  although  he  looked  funny  be- 
cause of  his  excessive  avoirdupois,  he  was  nevertheless  legitimately  humor- 
ous. 

At  the  immature  age  of  17,  he  enjoyed  a  local  reputation  as  a  song  and 


3o8  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

dance  performer  in  Galveston,  Texas,  where  he  had  been  for  several  years. 
He  first  appeared  professionally  at  the  Comique,  in  the  above  city,  about 
1874  with   Barry  Maxwell. 

A  few  years  later  he  formed  an  alliance  with  James  Ten  Brooke,  doing 
a  black-face  act.  He  continued  with  the  latter  a  few  seasons,  and  then 
formed  a  partnership  with  Ed.  Sheehan,  which  lasted  a  year. 

Subsequently  he  played  a  long  engagement  with  Carncross'  Minstrels 
in  Philadelphia;  other  prominent  organizations  were  Moore  and  Burgess  in 
London,  England ;  Primrose  and  West,  and  Primrose  and  Dockstader's  Min- 
strels. 

About  fifteen  years  ago  he  created  a  black-face  comedy  part  with  Hal- 
len  and  Hart  in  "The  Idea." 

Later  he  played  in  white-face  with  the  "Volunteer  Organist,"  in  which 
he  was  equally  successful. 

About  1898,  he  rejoined  Ten  Brooke  with  Primrose  and  Dockstader, 
when  they  renewed  former  successes. 

Mr.   Dooley  was  one  of  the  greatest  singing  comedians  in   minstrelsy. 

Larry  Dooley  was  born  in  Harrisburg,  Tex.,  January  19,  1861 ;  he  died 
in  Galveston,  Tex.,  July  30,  1904. 

W.  W.  Black,  the  well-known  basso  who  achieved  prominence  in  such  pro- 
ductions as  "Isle  of  Champagne";  "Jack  and  the  Bean  Stalk";  also  with 
Lillian  Russell,  Donnelly  and  Girard  and  other  noted  stars,  early  commanded 
the  attention  of  the  late  Col.  Mapleson,  who  desired  to  send  Mr.  Black 
abroad  to  have  his  voice  cultured.  Before  this  period,  however,  he  had  a 
thorough  schooling  in  that  best  of  all  institutions,  minstrelsy. 

]\Ir.  Black  was  a  member  of  Austin  and  Weir's  Minstrels  in  the  late  70's ; 
subsequently  he  was  associated  with  Simmons  and  Slocum's  Minstrels  and 
Simmons  and  Rankin's  Minstrels ;  likewise  he  was  with  McNish,  Johnson 
and  Slavin's  Minstrels  in  1885-86-87;  this  was  his  last  appearance  in  black- 
face. 

W.  W.  Black  was  born  in  Irvington,  N.  Y.,  August  10,  1861. 

Wm.  G.  Newman,  the  popular  manager  of  the  Garrick  Theatre,  New  York 
City  was  billed  as  the  "infant  wonder,"  singing  a  ballad  at  Sam  Hague's  Min- 
strels in  Liverpool,  England,  July  13,  1874. 

Mr.  Newman  was  born  at  sea,  March  24,  1861. 

George  Hallen  (Smith),  a  brother  of  Fred  Hallen,  and  of  the  black-face 
team  of  McAvoy  and  Hallen,  was  born  in  Ogdensburg,  N.  Y.,  November  14, 
1861 ;  he  died  in  Denver,  Colo.,  November  27,  1888. 

John  E.  Cain  is  one  of  the  cleverest  delineators  of  the  negro  character 
before  the  public,  and  it  is  a  distinct  loss  to  minstrelsy  that  some  such  organ- 
ization does  not  have  him  on  their  roster. 

His  first  stage  appearance  was  at  the  Apollo  Theatre,  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  in 
September,  1874,  with  the  Future  City  Minstrels,  an  amateur  organization. 
Two  years  later  he  professionalized  himself  by  joining  Johnson's  Dixie  Min- 
strels. 

In  the  Fall  of  1876  he  joined  hands  with  Billy  Wolf,  doing  a  double 


WM.    EWERS 


DICK.  ESCOTT 


CHAS.    C.    PALMER 


"SLIM   JIM"    nUKELAN 


CHAS.    F.   WARNER 


FRANK  MEYERING 


PROMINENT  MUSICIANS  OF  MINSTRELSY. 


3IO  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Irish  and  Dutcli  specialty.  Mr.  Cain  subsequently  returned  to  his  first  love, 
and  did  the  old-time  act  of  changing  from  white  to  black,  which  he  did  in  ten 
seconds. 

June  3,  1883,  Mr.  Cain  opened  at  the  Bella  Union  Theatre  in  San  Fran- 
cisco ;  his  success  was  so  pronounced  that  he  remained  one  year ;  ultimately 
he    remained    on    the    coast    for    ten    years,    playing    legitimate    and    variety 
houses,    including   engagements    with    Oliver    Doud    Byron,    with    whom    he- 
played  principal  comedy  roles. 

Mr.  Cain  was  promoter  and  builder  of  the  Powell  Street  Theatre  in  the 
big  coast  city,  which  opened  December  15,  1890.  He  next  engaged  as  come- 
dian with  the  C.  D.  Hess  Grand  Opera  Company.  In  1891  he  joined  hands 
with  Harry  Orndorf,  and  as  Cain  and  Orndorf  they  did  an  old-time  "nigger" 
act  that  was  simply  great ;  Mr.  Cain,  of  course,  doing  the  black-face  part. 
They  continued  as  a  team  for  several  years. 

Subsequently  he  became  identified  with  the  Rice  and  Barton  Company, 
with  whom  he  has  mostly  since  been  identified. 

Mr.  Cain  is  happily  married  to  Blanche  Newcomb,  the  youngest  daugh- 
ter of  the  famous  minstrel. 

John  E.  Cain  was  born  in  St.  I^ouis,  Mo.,  August  20,  1862. 

Jennie  Ye.\mans,  the  famous  daughter  of  a  famous  mother  (Mrs.  Annie 
Yeamans)  played  Topsy  in  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin"  in  New  York,  October  20,  i870- 

Miss  Yeamans  was  born  in  Sydney,  New  South  Wales,  October  16,  1862 ; 
she  died  in  New  York,  November  28,  1906. 

Bob  Carmichael  was  well-known  as  an  able  and  popular  minstrel  leader. 
In  the  Summer  of  1886  he  was  with  Haverly's  Minstrels,  and  in  the  Fall  of 
the  same  year  he  joined  "Nobody's  Claim"  Company ;  the  following  season 
he  was  with  Sweatnam,  Rice  and  F"agan's  Minstrels,  and  in  1888  with  John- 
son and  Slavin's  Minstrels.  Subsequently  he  was  associated  with  Primrose 
and  West's ;  his  last  engagement  was  with  Harry  Davis'  Minstrels  in  Pitts- 
burg, Pa.,  commencing  October  9,  1899. 

Bob  Carmichael  was  born  in  Salem,  N.  C,  where  he  died  November  27, 
1899;  age  32  years. 

Eddie  Marks  (Peter  E.  Kenny),  famous  as  one  of  the  team  of  Griffin  and 
Marks,  whose  "Silence  and  Fun"  act  is  well  remembered,  played  with  his 
partner  in  all  the  principal  variety  halls  of  Europe,  as  well  as  engagements 
vvith  Thatcher,  Primrose*  alti'd  West's ;  Haverly's,  Gorton's  and  other  well- 
known  minstrel  organizations. 

He  had  been  in  the  profession  about  twenty-five  years. 

Eddie  Marks  died  in  Jersey  City,  N.  J.,  December  28,  1898;  age  36  years. 

Jas.  B.  Gentry  whose  performance  as  the  rube  sherifif  in  "Hoss  and  Hoss" 
is  yet  remembered,  began  his  career  about  1881,  at  Yorktown,  Va.,  doing 
a  black-face  song  and  dance  with  George  Leslie ;  they  continued  as  partners 
for  one  year. 

About  1883  with  Jack  Noon  he  formed  an  alliance,  and  for  one  and  a 
half  years  they  played  principal  variety  houses,  doing  black-face  songs  and 
dances.    Another  year  and  a  half  with  Charles  Johnson  ended  Mr.  Gentry's 


FROM  "DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  311 

black-face  career,  since  which  time  he  has  devoted  his  talents  to  characteri- 
zations which  have  placed  him  on  a  high  place  in  his  profession. 
James  B.  Gentry  was  born  in  Richmond,  Va.,  October  8,  1862. 

Jas.  B.  Bradley,  well  and  favorably  known  as  one  of  the  best  lyric  tenors 
in  present-day  minstrelsy,  began  his  professional  career  in  1884  at  Memphis, 
Tenn.,  with  the  Ford  Opera  Company,  in  the  chorus;  following  this  came 
an  engagement  of  five  years  with  "The  Hustler." 

His  first  minstrel  engagement  was  with  Barney  Pagan's  Minstrels;  sub- 
sequently he  was  with  such  well-known  companies  as  Al.  G.  Field's;  Prim- 
rose and  Dockstader's ;  Dockstader  and  Cleveland's  (Chicago,  1901). 

Mr.  Bradley  has  been  quite  successful  with  a  tabloid  minstrel  company 
in  vaudeville. 

James  B.  Bradley  was  born  in  Charleston,  S.  C,  November  9,  1862. 

Lew  Sully  (Chas.  Sullivan)  began  "cutting  up"  in  theatres  at  Omaha,  Neb., 
about  thirty  years  ago ;  after  he  learned  all  about  Omaha,  he  went  across 
the  river  to  Council  Bluffs,  Iowa,  and  engaged  as  stock  comedian. 

]\Ir.  Sully's  first  minstrel  experience  was  with  the  Beach  and  Bowers 
Company,  and  it  sure  was  an  experience.  His  salary  was  to  be  $15.00  per 
week  and  "cakes"  if  he  was  good.  While  he  really  went  bad  in  Dixon,  111., 
he  stood  on  the  streets  and  told  the  population  how  good  he  was. 

Mr.  Sully  candidly  admits  that  at  that  period  he  was  a  profound  drinker; 
subsequently  he  became  a  profound  thinker.  Later  he  played  successful  min- 
strel engagements  with  Al.  G.  Field's :  Primrose  and  West's ;  Primrose  and 
Dockstader's;  Wm.  H.  West's,  and  Dumont's  Minstrels.  Also  did  he  spend 
a  period  of  five  years  intermittently  with  Carncross'  Minstrels  in  Philadel- 
phia, and  a  season  with  Haverly's  Company. 

Mr.  Sully  is  the  author  of  "Hesitate,  Mr.  Nigger,  Hesitate";  "I  Don't 
Love  Nobody,"  and  other  well-known  songs. 

Lew.  Sully  was  born  in  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  March  28,  1862. 

Franz  Vetta  (Louis  R.  Newmayer),  the  famous  operatic  bass  singer,  was 
also  known  as  Frank  Wetter  in  minstrelsy. 

He  first  appeared  with  Geo.  Thatcher's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia  about 
1881  ;  subsequently  he  played  engagements  with  Haverly,  and  the  Standard 
Minstrels  in  San  Francisco. 

He  was  the  husband  of  Lizzie  MacNichol,  the  well-known  opera  singer. 

Franz  Vetta  was  born  in  Camden,  N.  J.,  in  1862 ;  he  died  in  Riverside, 
Cal.,  July  15,  1892. 

Geo.  W.  Cunningham  made  his  first  professional  appearance  with  Tommy 
Curran,  as  Cunningham  and  Curran,  at  Fraley's  Garden.  Jefifersonville,  Ind., 
in  March,  1875,  doing  a  black-face  act ;  subsequently  he  formed  an  alliance 
with  Ed.  Talbott.  In  i8go  Mr.  Cunningham  and  Ed.  E.  Grant  became  part- 
ners in  one  of  the  most  amusing  black-face  acts  on  the  vaudeville  stage ;  for 
four  years  as  "The  Brutal  Brothers"  they  played  the  best  variety  houses  and 
combinations. 

Cunningham  and  Grant  dissolved  partnership  in  1894,  after  which  Mrs. 


312  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Cunningham  (Geneva  Smith)  and  ]\Ir.  Cunningham  did  a  white-face  act  for 
several  seasons. 

July  20,  1908,  the  new  firm  of  Geo.  W.  Cunningham  and  Herman  ]\Iarion 
was  born,  and  at  two  years  of  age  is  doing  splendidly. 

George  W.  Cunningham  was  born  in  Brookville,  Ind.,  May  18,  1863. 

Billy  Pearl  (Jacob  Allgier)  was  known  from  one  end  of  the  country  to  the 
other  as  one  of  the  team  of  Marion  and  Pearl. 

Mr.  Pearl's  first  partner  was  Burt  Marion,  now  of  the  team  of  Marion 
and  Dean ;  subsequently  he  formed  an  alliance  with  Herman  Marion,  now 
of  Cunningham  and  Marion.  Mr.  Pearl  had  been  associated  with  Vogel's ; 
Cleveland-Wilson's;  Haverly's  (Nankeville's)  ;  Primrose  and  Dockstader's, 
and  other  first-class  minstrel  organizations,  including  Marion  and  Pearl's 
Minstrels. 

Billy  Pearl  was  born  in  New  York,  November  2y,  1863 ;  he  died  at  Pater- 
son,  N.  J.,  June  24,  1908. 

Billy  Van  (Van  Name),  famed  far  and  wide  as  one  of  the  most  unique 
monologuists,  began  his  professional  career  at  Jelif.  Staley's  in  Jeffersonville, 
Ind.,  doing  a  black-face  song  and  dance,  about  thirty  years  ago. 

Subsequently  he  doubled  with  Billy  Bitt,  a  midget,  and  did  a  break-neck 
song  and  dance,  and  later  was  of  the  team  of  Van,  DeVaney,  Haley  and 
Flynn.     Following  this  he  did  a  musical  act  with  May  Wilson  for  five  years. 

Mr.  Van's  next  partner  was  Bob  Turner,  also  in  a  musical  act.  Separat- 
ing from  Mr.  Turner,  he  joined  Haverly's  Minstrels. 

Subsequent  minstrel  engagements  were  with  Al.  G.  Field's ;  Gorman 
Bros.;  Primrose  and  West's;  Haverly's  (Nankeville),  and  Wm.  H.  West's 
(Ricaby). 

He  also  played  feature  engagements  with  Hopkins'  "Transatlantiques," 
Fulgora's,  and  Sandow's  Vaudeville  Company,  of  which  he  was  manager. 

About  1895  he  toured  with  Billy  Van's  Minstrels. 

Billy  Van  was  born  in  Cincinnati,  Ohio,  November  25,  1862. 

James  Cook,  of  t^e  favorite  vaudeville  duo  of  Cook  and  Lorenz,  did  a  black- 
face act  with  Mort.  Emerson,  in  Barlow,  Wilson  and  Rankin's  Minstrels, 
about  1885. 

Besides  being  a  good  Cook ;  he  can  sing  and  dance  and  tell  comical 
stories.     Fact. 

John  W.  Vogel  is  the  most  prominent  of  non-playing  minstrel  managers 
of  to-day. 

In  1901,  after  the  death  of  Col.  Haverly,  Mr.  Vogel  assumed  the  title  of 
"Minstrel  King,"  by  which  he  has  subsequently  been  known.  Like  so  many 
successful  minstrel  executives,  Mr.  Vogel's  earliest  training  was  with  the 
circus ;  his  first  experience  was  with  Sells  Bros.'  "Millionaire  Confederation 
of  Stupendous  Shows" ;  this  was  in  March,  1882.  In  the  Fall  of  that  year 
he  joined  Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels  at  Cleveland,  Ohio,  as 
assistant  agent ;  Mr.  Vogel's  executive  abilities  showed  to  such  advantage 
that  he  was  subsequently  made  manager  of  the  organization.  Afterwards 
he   piloted    successfully   such   well-known   minstrel    companies    as    McNish, 


ARTHUR   MORELAND 


FRA^TK   DUMONT 


JOS.   M.    NoRCROSS 


HARRY   M.    MORSE 


WM.  H.  HALLETT 
(Scherer    Studio,    New    York    City) 


VAUGHN  COMFORT 


"MORE  MEN  OF  THE  MIDDLE." 


314  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Johiison  and  Slavin's ;  JMcNish,  Ramza  and  Arno's ;  Primrose  and  West's  and 
Mclntyre  and  Heath's. 

He  also  owned  and  managed  Vogel's  Afro-American  ]\Iastodon  Min- 
strels, and  "Darkest  America."  The  present  year  of  1910  is  the  fourteenth 
season  of  John  W.  Vogel's  Big  City  Minstrels.  He  likewise  managed  the 
Al.  G.  Fields'  Minstrels  for  seven  years. 

Mr.  Vogel's  success  is  attested  by  his  elegant  Summer  residence  at 
Vogel's  Beach,  Buckeye  Lake,  Ohio,  and  a  Winter  home  in  Columbus,  Ohio. 

John  W.  Vogel  was  born  in  Chillicothe,  Ohio,  May  16,  1863. 

Geo.  W.  Lewis  is  a  dancer,  is  a  producer  and  likewise  an  innovator;  and 
there  you  have  it  all. 

Mr.  Lewis  made  his  first  appearance  with  the  L  W.  Baird's  Minstrels, 
season  of  1881-82;  he  was  25  per  cent,  of  the  "Midget  4";  the  Whippier 
Twins  and  Stone  constituting  the  other  three  quarters. 

From  1882  until  1883  he  was  a  member  of  the  Barlow,  Wilson  Minstrels ; 
the  next  year  he  was  with  the  Haverly  troupe,  followed  by  a  season  in  the 
variety  houses  with  the  aforementioned  Stone. 

Mclntyre  and  Heath's  Minstrels  followed  the  separation  of  Lewis  and 
Stone,  and  in  January,  1886,  he  transferred  his  allegiance  to  Wilson  and  Ran- 
kin's Minstrels ;  at  the  end  of  the  season  he  joined  Thatcher,  Primrose  and 
West's  Company,  and  continued  with  them  two  seasons. 

Subsequently  he  was  associated  with  Geo.  Thatcher's  various  companies 
for  a  period  of  four  years.  After  this  Mr.  Lewis  entered  vaudeville  and  con- 
tinued in  it  for  several  seasons,  but  returned  to  his  old  love  in  1897,  when 
he -went  with  Primrose  and  West's' Minstrels.  The  associations  were  so 
pleasant  that  the  following  year  he  joined  Jack  Haverly  in  his  last  minsrel 
venture. 

In  the  Spring  of  1900  Mr.  Lewis  was  with  Primrose  and  Dockstader's 
big  minstrel  show  under  canvas ;  here  he  produced  the  various  dances  and 
marches. 

Subsequently  he  was  w^ith  "Simple  Simon  Simple"  playing  a  "Rube" 
character ;  and  with  other  well-known  companies  where  cork  was  not  used — 
except  after  the  show.  Mr.  Lewis  was  with  the  Cohan  and  Harris  Minstrels 
at  their  inception  in  July,  1908. 

He  is  now  in  vaudeville,  and  ma}'  go  to  Pottsville. 

George  W.  Lewis  was  born  in  Easton,  Pa.,  August  28,  1863. 

THE  ORIGIN  OF  "DIXIE." 

At  various  times  the  authorship  of  this  immortal  melody  has  been  at- 
tributed to  various  authors,  but  many  years  have  passed  since  it  was  con- 
ceded that  Daniel  Decatur  Emmett,  one  of  the  members  of  the  original  min- 
strel organization,  was  its  legitimate  sponsor. 

Conflicting  dates  have  been  given  as  to  when  it  was  first  produced. 
Here  is  the  only  true  version  that  was  ever  published : 

"At  the  request  of  either  Dan  or  Jerry  Bryant,  on  the  tenth  day  of 
September,  1859,  Dan  Emmett  was  asked  to  write  a  'Walk  Around'  for  Bry- 
ant's Minstrels,  then  located  in  New  York  City,  at  Mechanic's  Hall,  472 
Broadway.     The  next  day  (Sunday)  it  was  put  together,  and  the  following 


FROM  -D.IDDV  K!CE  TO  DATE.  315 

ni'-lit,  September   12,   1859,  "I   Wish  I  Was  in  Dixie.'  was  sang  for  the  first 
time  on  any  stage. 

A  reproduction  of  the  programme  is  shown  elsewhere. 

This  is  absolutely  the  first  time  the  proper  date  has  been  furnished. 

Joe  Hughes  (Sovey)  was  raised  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  where  he  entered  the 
profession  as  an  amateur,  doing  a  black-face  single  turn  in  1882 :  as  partners 
he  had  in  turn  a  schoolmate  whose  name  was  Chamberlain,  and  later  Billy 
Gray,  playing  his  first  engagement  at  Ninth  and  Pine  Streets,  St.  Louis,  for 
Howard  and  Alton,  here  taking  the  name  of  Hughes;  subsequent  partners 
were  Billy  Hart  and  Tom  Glenn.  In  1887  he  doubled  with  Jack  Symonds, 
and  a  year  later  a  clever  colored  boy,  known  as  "Rastus,"  who  was  quite  a 
dancer,  was  taken  into  the  act ;  together  they  played  all  the  principal  variety 
houses  as  Symonds,  Hughes  and  Rastus;  their  minstrel  engagements  were 
with  Goodyear,  Elitch  and  Schilling's;  Haverly's ;  Carncross',  and  Lew  Dock- 
stader's ;  the  trio  separated  in  Philadelphia  in  July,  1895.  Mr.  Hughes  then 
worked  single  for  a  year,  and  in  1896  he  joined  Frank  Riley,  an  excellent  old 
darky  impersonator;  as  Riley  and  Hughes  they  remained  a  team  for  seven 
years ;  then  one  year  with  Jack  Hallen.  and  on  September  24,  1907,  and  ever 
since  the  firm  has  been  known  as  Golden  and  Plughes. 

Mr.  Hughes  has  a  rich  dialect,  which  he  knows  exactly  how  to  use. 

Joe  Hughes  was  born  in  Chicago,  111.,  ]\Iarch  21,  1863. 

Frank  V.  Chase  formed  a  partnership  with  Dan  Swift  about  1881,  and 
made  their  first  appearance  at  the  Front  Street  Theatre,  Baltimore,  ]\Id., 
doing  a  black-face  musical  act — and  an  exceptionally  good  one. 

They  played  engagements  with  Johnson  and  Slavin's,  Primrose  and 
W^est's,  and  the  Cleveland-Wilson  Minstrels;  they  were  with  the  latter  in 
August,   1898. 

Frank  V.  Chase  was  born  in  Baltimore;  he  died  there  February  11, 
1899;  age  36  years. 

Andrew  Mack  fWm.  A.  Mc.^Ioonl,  the  favorite  Irish  singing  comedian  and 
actor,  joined  Thatcher  and  Ryman's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia  December  27, 
1880.  and  as  Master  Will  Le  Mack,  singing  "A  Violet  From  Mother's 
Grave,"  met  with  phenomenal  success. 

Other  minstrel  engagements  followed,  notably  Cushman  and  Leon's, 
1883  ;  Haverly's,  same  year,  and  Barlow,  Wilson  and  Rankin's,  about  1885. 

Mr.  Mack  was  married  December  2,  1887;  and  since  then. 

Andrew  Mack  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  about  1863. 

Louis  Baldwin,  a  well-known  black-face  comedian,  who  with  J.  Arthur 
Coburn  formed  the  musical  team  of  Coburn  and  Baldwin,  began  his  stage 
career  in  his  boyhood  days,  and  played  with  well-known  minstrel  organiza- 
tions. 

His  last  appearance  was  with  the  Barlow  Minstrels,  under  the  man- 
agement of  Mr.  Coburn. 

Louis  Baldwin  died  at  Bloomington,  111.,  January  9,  1903;  age  40  years. 

Chas.  Sharpley,  the  junior  member  of  the  Three  Sharpley's,  was  an  ex- 


3i6  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

ceptionally   clever   musician,   and   gave   promise   of   a   brilliant   future   when 
death  intervened. 

He  died  in  New  York  City,  December  29,  1879;  age  16  years. 

Dan  Allmon,  "one  of  the  younger  generation  of  black-face  performers,  was 
prominent  with  Cleveland's  Minstrels  in  the  middle  90's ;  as  an  end  man  and 
monologuist  he  was  first-class.  His  last  appearance  was  with  Nankeville's 
Haverly  JMinstrels. 

Dan  Allmon  died  at  Vancouver,  B.  C,  November  2,  1901 ;  age  38  years. 

Dan  Quinlan  (Daniel  Cullinan)  worked  in  his  native  city  for  several  years 
in  the  rolling  mills,  and  kept  on  rolling  until  he  got  his  first  professional 
engagement  as  property  man  with  the  Barlow,  Wilson  Minstrels  in  if^83. 
From  this  humble  beginning  Mr.  Quinlan  rose  successively  and  successfully 
to  the  positions  of  stage  manager,  interlocutor,  manager  and  finally  propri- 
etor. He  was  identified  with  such  prominent  minstrel  organizations  as  Mc- 
Nish,  Johnson  and  Slavin's ;  Sweatnam,  Rice  and  Pagan's ;  McNish,  Ramza 
and  Arno's ;  Geo.  Wilson's ;  Billy  Van's,  and  Primrose  and  West's  Monte 
Carlo  Company,  in  which  Geo.  Wilson  was  starred.  He  was  for  six  years 
with  Al.  G.  Field's  Minstrels,  serving  in  the  capacity  of  interlocutor,  stage 
manager  and  manager.  Early  in  the  present  century  Mr.  Quinlan  organized 
the  Quinlan  and  Wall's  Imperial  Minstrels,  of  which  he  was  the  proprietor, 
and  conducted  for  several  seasons. 

Mr.  Quinlan's  first  appearance  in  the  "middle"  was  with  Sweatnam, 
Rice  and  Fagan's  Minstrels  at  Philadelphia,  about  1888 ;  subsequently  he 
broke  away  from  the  conventional  style  of  the  interlocutor,  and  instead  of 
keeping  his  seat  during  conversations,  he  would  walk  about,  to  and  fro  on 
the  stage,  leaving  it  entirely  at  occasional  intervals ;  this  was  a  unique 
departure,  and  was  apparently  well  liked. 

He  likewise  produced  some  original  first  parts,  notably  "A  Reception  to 
the  Diplomatic  Legion,"  "A  Day  and  Night  at  the  Pan-American  Exposi- 
tion" and  "International   Military   Bivouac." 

Mr.  Quinlan  played  vaudeville  with  Keller  Mack,  with  whom  he  was 
associted  since  January  16,  1905.  August,  1910,  he  formed  an  alliance  with 
Vic.  Richards. 

Dan  Quinlan  was  born  at  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  April  21,  1863. 

Otis  Skinner,  the  representative  romantic  and  Shakespearian  actor,  during 
the  week  of  February  18,  1878,  at  the  Philadelphia  Museum,  played  Jerry 
Blackburn  in  Frank  I.  Frayne's  production  of  "Si  Slocum."  There  is  a  sus- 
picion that  this  was  not  Mr.  Skinner's  only  appearance  in  black-face. 

Tom  Le  Mack  (]\IcAloon),  well  known  as  a  comedian  and  dancer,  as  well 
as  the  composer  of  such  songs  as  "Phoebe,"  "Little  Johnny  Dugan"  and 
"The  Wedding  of  the  Lily  and  the  Rose,"  made  his  first  appearance  in  min- 
strelsy at  Heuck's  Opera  House,  Cincinnati,  March  18,  1885,  with  Haverly's 
Mastodons. 

Subsequently  he  appeared  with  Thatcher,  Primrose  and  W'est's  Min- 
strels and  other  well-known  companies. 

About  fifteen  years  ago  Mr.    LeMack  formed   a  partnership  with   Tom 


JNO.   F.    FIELDS  FRANK    HANSON 

(THE  ORIGINAL  FIELDS  &  HANSON.) 


CHAS.  REYNOLDS  GEO.  REYNOLDS 

(REYNOLDS  BROS.) 


0 


5W?s 


y^.0 


EVERETT  WESLYN  FRANK   CASEY 

(WESLYN&  CASEY.) 


3i8  MOXARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Lewis ;  they  played  vaudeville  engagements,  and  a  season  with  Donnelly 
and  Girard  in  "The  Rainmakers." 

Mr.  LeMack  was  a  brother  of  Andrew  Mack,  the  famed  singing  Irish 
comedian. 

Tom  LeMack  was  born  in  Boston ;  he  died  in  New  York  City,  February 
26,  1899;  age  about  35  years. 

Richard  F.  Carroll,  the  well-known  comedian,  and  a  son  of  the  famous 
R.  M.  Carroll,  was  a  member  of  the  great  "Carroll  Family"  for  several  years 
in  the  70's,  during  which  time  he  frequently  appeared  in  black-face. 

Mr.  Carroll  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  October  27,  1864. 

Sam  Bernard  (Barnett),  the  favorite  German  musical  star,  was  not  always 
an  assassin  of  the  King's  English — not  he.  Away  back  during  the  season  of 
1883-84  at  the  Museum  in  Providence,  R.  L,  he  played  the  wench  part  in 
"The  Fellow  That  Looks  Like  Me,"  and  played  it  so  artistically  that  he 
received  an  offer  of  marriage  from  Henry  White,  a  colored  citizen  of  Provi- 
dence, who  thought  Mr.  Bernard  was  a  real  darky  lady.     Honest. 

J.'  Harvey  Briggs,  a  well-known  singer,  and  composer  of  "Dear  Old  Stars 
and  Stripes,"  began  his  career  with  Robinson's  Circus  while  yet  a  boy ;  sub- 
sequently he  was  with  the  Barlow  Minstrels  for  a  season,  and  later  joined 
the  Gorton's  Minstrels,  with  whom  he  continued  for  five  years. 

Mr.  Briggs  was  married  to  Marguerite  Eleanor,  an  actress. 

J.  Harvey  Briggs  was  born  at  Huntington,  W.  Va. ;  he  died  in  New 
York  City,  March  30,  1904;  age  40  years. 

Sam  Lee  is  from  the  South ;  so  there's  nothing  extraordinary  in  the  fact 
that  he  is  a  good  black-face  performer,  which  no  one  disputes. 

His  first  professional  appearance  was  in  1883,  with  King,  Burke  and 
Company's  Circus ;  'Sir.  Lee  played  in  the  band,  which  recalls  the  additional 
fact  that  he  is  a  skilled  musician. 

After  the  circus  came  variety  houses,  where  he  first  put  on  cork ;  this 
was  in  1884. 

Mr.  Lee's  minstrel  career  began  in  1885  as  a  member  of  L  W.  Baird's 
Company ;  he  continued  with  them  for  two  seasons.  The  following  year  he 
joined  the  Goodyear,  Cook  and  Dillon's  Minstrel  Company. 

At  Andover,  N.  Y.,  July  26,  1889,  he  allied  himself  with  Gorton's  Min- 
strels, and  remained  with  that  organization  twenty  years. 

The  season  of  1909-10  Mr.  Lee  was  with  the  Cohan  and  Harris  Com- 
pany, where  he  made  a  conspicuous  success ;  his  playing  of  the  "bad  nigger" 
in  the  afterpiece  of  that  company  was  a  clever  bit  of  acting. 

Mr.  Lee,  while  with  the  Gorton  Minstrels,  was  associated  with  the  late 
Joseph  Gorton,  Jr.,  for  nine  years  in  a  musical  act. 

Sam  Lee  was  born  in  Lexington,  Ky.,  November  24,  1864. 

Tommy  Donnelly,  or  Thos.  H.  Donnelly  if  you  want  it  all,  is  a  comedian- 
no  one  ever  said  he  wasn't. 

He  made  his  first  appearance  with  Heywood  Bros.'  Mastodon  Minstrels 
at  Athol,  Mass.,  in  1885 ;  it  was  Donnelly  and  Markham  then. 


FROM  "DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  319 

The  next  season  he  joined  Hi  Henry's  Minstrels,  and  subsequently 
appeared  with  such  well-known  organizations  as  George  Wilson's ;  McXish, 
Johnson  and  Slavin's ;  Carncross',  in  Philadelphia ;  Al.  G.  Field's,  and  Don- 
nelly and  Hatfield's  Minstrels. 

Tommy  Donnelly  was  born  in  Springfield,  Mass.,  May  10,  1864. 

Al.  Cameron,  formerly  known  as  Alex  Cameron,  a  prominent  singer  of 
latter-day  minstrelsy,  made  his  first  appearance  as  a  Madrigal  Boy  in  Hav- 
erly's  Minstrels  in  1888;  subsequently  lie  joined  the  Gorman  Bros.'  Minstrels, 
remaining  with  that  organization  for  six  years. 

Mr.  Cameron  afterwards  was  identified  with  Primrose  and  West's  Min- 
strels for  seven  seasons,  also  with  the  Al.  G.  Field's  Minstrels. 

Al.  Cameron  was  born  at  Grenoch,  Scotland,  October  21,   1864. 

Geo.  W.  Day.  When  a  man  can  be  a  member  of  a  prominent  minstrel  or- 
ganization for  a  whole  season  without  the  knowledge  of  the  proprietor  of 
said  organization,  that  man  must  have  talents  that  are  nothing  short  of 
abnormal.  Such  a  man  is  Geo.  \V.  Day,  or  such  a  man  he  was  in  1892,  when 
appearing  before  Leopold  Fuenkenstein  at  the  Central  Opera  House,  New 
York  City,  told  that  gentleman  in  response  to  the  question  as  to  whom  he 
had  been  with  the  previous  season,  Mr.  Day  says  he  joined  Al.  G.  Field's 
without  a  moment's  hesitation ;  he  might  have  also  added  "without  a  mo- 
ment's salary." 

Such  was  the  beginning  of  the  black-face  career  of  Geo.  W.  Day,  which 
has  been  devoted  mostly  to  vaudeville,  though  light  operas  through  the  me- 
diums of  "The  Pirates  of  Penzance"  and  "The  Mascotte"  saw  him  ;  he  also 
appeared  in  "The  Finish  of  Mr.  Fresh"  and  "The  Wooing  of  Mrs.  Van  Cott." 

Mr.  Day's  effusions  are  always  given  in  neat,  straight  make-up,  which 
has  a  tendency  to  enhance  their  value. 

Geo.  W.  Day  was  born  July  29,  1864;  that's  the  very  day. 

Al.  Reeves  is  one  of  the  greatest  living  examples  of  the  "13"  hoodoo  killer. 

Right  off  the  reel  he  started  the  thing  going  by  getting  born  at  No.  13 
Catharine  Street ;  and  there's  lots  more  to  come :  but  all  in  good  time. 

j\Ir.  Reeves'  career  started  at  Bunnell's  Museum  and  Theatre  in  Brook- 
lyn, N.  Y.,  about  1878;  later  he  worked  for  Bunnell  at  Coney  Island,  N.  Y., 
twelve  shows  a  day,  seven  shows  a  week,  receiving  the  princely  sum  of  176-7 
cents  a  performance. 

His  debut  as  a  minstrel  was  with  the  Healy  and  Bigelow  Company, 
where  he  did  an  act  with  the  late  Tommy  Mott. 

Mr.  Reeves  then  spent  several  seasons  with  real  shows,  and  later  a  year 
at  Carncross'  IMinstrels,  in  Philadelphia. 

Then  came  Al.  Reeves'  Specialty  Company,  and  then  the  hoodoo.  Mr. 
Reeves  took  over  the  Criterion  Theatre  in  Brooklyn  with  the  avowed  inten- 
tion of  running  burlesque  companies  within  its  portals.  The  intention  was 
good,  but  at  that  time  the  "boss  of  the  banjo"  wasn't  aware  that  the  house 
was  in  its  thirteenth  season,  nor  that  he  was  its  thirteenth  manager ;  he 
found  this  all  out  at  the  end  oi  thirteen  weeks,  when  he  gave  up  the  man- 
agement ;  the  thirteen  who  had  purchased  tickets  had  their  thirteen  half  dol- 
lars refunded. 


320  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 


Nothing  daunted,  Mr.  Reeves  and  his  Big  Beauty  Show  started  on  its 
way,  and  success  has  been  his ;  so  "give  him  credit,  boys." 
Al.  Reeves  was  born  in  New  York,  May  30,  1864. 

Eugene  Str.vtton  (Ruhlman),  who  is  at  the  present  time  one  of  the  most 
pronounced  favorites  in  England  of  any  man  that  ever  blacked  his  face, 
began  his  stage  career  about  187S  as  one  of  the  Four  Arnold  Brothers. 

On  the  2ist  day  of  October,  that  year,  he  opened  at  Chicago  with  Hav- 
erly's  Original  Mastodon  Minstrels.  He  was  a  member  of  that  company 
when  they  opened  at  the  Drury   Lane  Theatre,   London,  England,  July  31, 

1880. 

Shortly  after  this  event  he  went  to  Moore  and  Burgess'  Minstrels  in 
the  same  city,  where  he  remained  about  ten  years. 

In  addition  to  being  a  good  song  and  dance  man,  he  also  developed  into 
a  fine  comedian. 

Eugene  Stratton  was  born  in  Bufifalo,  N.  Y.,  about  1864. 

Maclyn  Abruckle,  the  comedian,  who  may  one  day  play  Falstafif,  was  a 
member  of  the  "Lambs' "  Minstrels  at  the  Metropolitan  Opera  House,  New 
York,  May  31,  1909. 

The  story  that  Mr.  Arbuckle  had  blacked  nearly  his  whole  anatomy 
before  the  veteran  minstrel,  Raymond  Hitchcock,  intervened  and  told  Ar- 
buckle that  only  the  face,  neck  and  chest  needed  the  burnt  cork,  is  a  fabri- 
cation, pure  and  simple. 

Albert  Guy  has  long  been  a  member  of  the  Guy  Brothers  Minstrels,  where 
hi?  superb  baritone  voice  is  heard  to  excellent  advantage.  As  an  interlocutor 
he  ranks  high. 

Mr.  Guy  has  been  associated  with  his  brothers  professionally  practically 
his  entire  career. 

He  was  born  in  New  York,  January  7,  1865. 

Ch.\s.  T-  Stine,  the  well-known  capable  character  comedian,  whose  efforts 
in  some  of  the  more  prominent  productions  have  brought  him  the  prominence 
he  deserves,  made  his  initial  bow  as  a  performer  as  a  member  of  J.  N.  Gil- 
bert's ]\Iinstrels — we  all  know  Charley  Stine,  but — "has  anybody  here  seen 
Gilbert?"  This  occurred  at  Ridott,  111.,  in  1878;  later  Mr.  Stine  did  shine  as 
one  of  the  stars  of  Horace  Herbert's  Grand  Constellation.  Things  were 
"Nip  and  Tuck"  for  a  season,  then  he  "troubadoured,"  and  then  joined  Good- 
year, Cook  and  Dillon's  Minstrels. 

After  several  farcical  afifairs,  Mr.  Stine  allied  himself  with  George  That- 
cher's "Tuxedo"  and  "Africa"  companies. 

About  1893  he  married  Ollie  Evans,  and  as  Stine  and  Evans  played 
vaudeville  in  this  and  foreign  climes  for  several  seasons. 

In  1901  he  once  again  "blacked  up"  with  Dick  Jose's  Minstrels  in  San 
Francisco. 

Mrs.  Stine  died  in  January,  1908;  subsequently  Mr.  Stine  married  Miss 
Barbara  Daub,  a  non-professional  lady,  February  24,  1910. 

Mr.  Stine's  most  recent  engagements  were  with  Joe  Weber's  Company 
and  Max  Rogers,  of  the  Rogers  Brothers,  in  "The  Young  Turk." 

Charles  J.  Stine  was  born  in  Freeport,  111.,  August  19,  1864. 


ANDY   McKEE  STEVIE    ROGERS 

(McKEE  &  ROGERS.) 


GEO.   W.   CUNNINGHAM 


HERMAN    MARION 


(CUNNINGHAM  &  MARION.) 


BILLY    CHACE  LEW.    DAVIS 

(CHACE  &  DAVIS.) 


32.2  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Chas.  K.  Harris,  the  famous  author  of  the  famous  song  "After  the  Ball." 
and  other  famous  successes,  did  a  black-face  banjo  act  for  the  Elk's  Minstrels 
in  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  about  1898.  Mr.  Harris  was  born  in  Poughkeepsie, 
N.  Y.,  May  i,  1864. 

Arthur  Dunn,  the  abbreviated  comedian  of  many  a- lengthy  musical  suc- 
cess, was  a  black-face  song  and  dance  boy  with  Haverly's  Minstrels  in  1881. 
But  that  was  not  the  only  black-face  work  that  Arthur  Dunn. 

Mr.  Dunn  was  twenty-three  years  old,  February  23, — 1887. 

Stuart  Barnes,  the  well-known  monologist,  was  formerly  a  black-face  per- 
former. Billed  as  the  "Kings  of  Ethiopian  Comedy,"  in  a  plantation  act  called 
"Fish  Heads,"  Mr.  Barnes  and  his  partner  played  an  engagement  at  the 
Harlem  Museum,  New  York  City,  week  commencing  September  28,  1891. 
Be  it  understood  that  "Fish  Heads"  was  simply  the  name  of  the  act  of  Clem- 
ents and  Barnes. 

Will  Vidoco  (Murray),  of  the  favorite,  featured,  furiously  funny  team  of 
Haines  and  Vidocq,  contracted  the  actor  fever  in  1876,  when  he  was  one  of 
the  three  Vidocqs,  a  white-face  act.  Subsequently  he  was  of  the  well-known 
acts  of  Shannon  and  Vidocq ;  Hughes  and  Vidocq ;  Vidocq  and  Evans,  and 
Thompson  and  Vidocq.  But  long  before  these  he  did  a  black-face  turn  with 
Dan.  Lester,  the  old-time  clown  ;  this  was  about  1879. 

He  first  formed  an  alliance  with  Nat.  Haines  in  1884;  afterwards  they 
rejoined  each  other  in  1889,  1898  and  1909. 

Mr.  Vidocq  was  born  in  New  York,  April  22,  1865. 

Harry  Leighton,  the  well-known  vocalist,  made  his  first  professional  ap- 
pearance at  a  Sunday  concert  in  New  York  City,  at  Wallack's  Theatre,  in 
1886. 

His  initial  appearance  in  minstrelsy  was  with  the  Haverly  Company,  at 
Joliet,  111.,  July  18,  1887. 

Subsequent  engagements  were  with  Carncross'  Ministrels  in  Philadel- 
phia; Cleveland's;  Dockstader's,  in  1893:  Thatcher  and  Johnson's,  and 
Vogel's  Minstrels.  With  the  latter  organization  he  has  been  ten  consecutive 
seasons. 

Mr.  Leighton  has  a  peculiarly  pleasing  high-tenor  voice,  which  he  uses 
to  the  best  advantage. 

Harry  Leighton  was  born  in  Bradford,  England — and  that's  the  best  the 
author  could  get. 

Billy  Jerome  (Flannery).  Everybody  knows  that  Mr.  Jerome  wrote  the 
lyrics  for  some  of  the  biggest  New  York  successes,  as  well  as  such  popular 
songs  as  "Rip  Van  Winkle  Was  a  Lucky  Man";  "He  Never  Came  Back"; 
"Bedelia" ;  the  'Volunteer  Organist,"  and  scores  of  others ;  but  everybody 
don't  know  that  "Billy"  sat  on  the  end  with  Barlow,  Wilson  and  Rankin's 
Minstrels  in  1885,  opposite  to  J.  Marcus  Doyle;  nor  that  five  years  later  with 
Billy  Buckley  did  a  good  black-face  talking  and  singing  act.  But  he  did,  hf 
did. 

Billy  Jerome  was  born  in  Cornwall,  N.  Y.,  September  30,  1865. 


FROM  -DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  323 

John  Queen  (AIcQueen)  achieved  equal  success  as  comedian  and  a  song 
writer.  He  entered  the  profession  in  tlie  early  8o's,  and  later  as  Queen, 
Stowe  and  Randall  was  the  inventor  of  the  trick  house  act  used  b}'  them. 
He  was  a  long  time  associated  with  Cleveland's,  also  Vogel's  Minstrels. 

He  was  the  author  of  "Get  Your  Habits  On,"  "All  Alone,"  and  many- 
other  coon  ditties  that  attained  more  than  usual  prominence. 

John  Queen  was  born  in  Xew  Orleans,  La.;  he  died  in  New  York,  Feb- 
ruary 23,  1902. 

"Hap"AVard  (John  O'Donnell)  and  Harry  \'okes,  the  famous  farceurs 
who  have  headed  their  own  organizations  for  several  seasons  past,  have  used 
burnt  cork  copiously  and  freely. 

Mr.  Ward  as  a  member  of  the  Four  Diamonds,  a  black-face  act  of  about 
thirty  years  ago;  and  Mr.  Yokes  paraded  in  many  a  one  night  stand  while 
with  the  Barlow,  Wilson  Minstrels  about  the  same  time.  If  you  don't  be- 
lieve it,  ask  Ward  and  Yokes. 

Chas.  Horwitz,  the  well-known  vaudeville  sketch  writer  and  collaborator 
with  Fred  Bowers  in  the  production  of  many  great  song  successes,  did  an 
"end"  for  one  night,  July  4,  1893,  at  Long  Branch,  X.  J.,  with  "Barney 
Pagan's  Minstrels"  zvithout  Barney  Fagan. 

Mr.  Horwitz  was  born  in  Milwaukee,  Wis.,  and  looks  it. 

Joe.  Cawthorne,  one  of  America's  foremost  comedians,  played  many  black- 
face and  minstrel  engagements  in  his  varied  career.  For  instance,  he  and 
his  brother  Herljert  opened  at  Sam  Flague's  Minstrels  in  Liverpool,  England, 
December  i,  1879.     Doesn't  time  fly? 

Jas.  T.  Powers  (McGovern),  the  popular  light  opera  comedian,  played 
"LTseless  Maguff,"  a  ni;^  in  hard  luck,  in  the  drama  of  "W'ide  Awake"  at  Aberle's 
Theatre,  New  York  City,  week  of  JNIarch  22,  1880;  and  he's  proud  of  it. 

Gus.  PiXLEY.    It's  not  hard  for  him  to  be  a  happy  Flobo — on  the  stage. 

It  was  just  as  easy  on  March  19,  1883,  at  the  Standard  Theatre,  San 
Francisco,  with  Emerson's  Minstrels,  to  play  Lady  Angela,  in  the  burlesque 
on  "Pinafore."  Of  course,  he  was  a  black  Lady  Angela;  for  those  were  dark 
days. 

De  Wolf  Hopper,  the  altitudinous  comedian,  was  one  of  the  features  of  the 
"Lambs'  Gambol,"  in  their  minstrel  first  part  of  the  ]\Ietropolitan  Opera 
FIousc,  New  York,  May  31.  1909.  He  said,  "Gentlemen,  be  seated,"  and  they 
did. 

Lucille  La  Verne,  the  favorite  character  actress,  played  Judith  Clancy, 
the  negro  "mammy"  in  "Clarice,"  at  the  Garrick  Theatre,  New  York,  Oc- 
tober 16,  1906.     Sounds  more  like  an  Irish  "mammy,"  don't  you  think? 

Arthur  Deming  is  one  of  the  most  entertaining  black-face  performers  before 
the  public  to-day.  He  has  made  St.  Louis,  Mc,  his  home  for  many  3'ears, 
and  it   was   there   he   made  his   first  professional   appearance   at  McKinley's 


324  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Museum,  October  7,  18S8,  in  a  black-face  monologue.  A  short  time  after- 
wards he  formed  a  partnership  with  Eddie  Powers,  together  they  joined  Geo. 
De  Haven's  Circus  as  clowns,  also  working  in  the  concerts. 

In  the  Fall  of  18S9  his  regular  minstrel  career  began  with  the  Vreeland 
Company,  remaining  two  seasons.  The  next  two  years  was  Arthur  Deming's 
Minstrels,  allied  with  Edwin  De  Coursey's  "A  Stranger"  Company.  In  1893 
he  joined  Cleveland's  Minstrels,  closing  with  that  company;  he  made  his 
first  appearance  with  Hi  Henry's  Minstrels,  Christmas,  1893,  at  Carbondale, 
Pa. ;  he  remained  with  the  Henry  Company  until  the  end  of  the  season  of 
1895-96.  Arthur  Deming's  Minstrels  took  the  road  season  1896-97,  and 
1897-98  he  was  with  the  Haverly's  Minstrels.  Vogel  and  Deming's  Minstrels, 
1898-1900;  "Don't  Tell  My  Wife"  Company,  1900-01;  a  return  to  Hi  Henry, 
1901-02 ;  a  tour  of  vaudeville,  1902-03,  and  once  again  with  Hi  Henry,  1903- 
04;  Geo.  Primrose's  Minstrels  claimed  him  for  their  own  from  1904  until 
1906;  and  vaudeville  ever  since,  where  he  has  met  with  universal  success. 
Mr.  Deming  is  now  playing  with  much  success  the  black-face  comedy  part  in 
"Lower  Berth,  13,"  in  Chicago,  at  the  Whitney  Theatre. 

Arthur  Deming  was  born  in  Green  Bay,  Wis.,  May  20,  1866. 

Richard  Carle,  the  famous  elongated  comedian,  author  and  producer,  says 
he  appeared  several  times  as  an  amateur  in  minstrel  shows,  recalling  one  in 
particular  at  the  Winthrop  Yacht  Club  in  ^^'inthrop  Beach,  Mass.,  in  the 
Summer  of  1889.     INIr.  Carle  did  a  capital  "end"  on  this  auspicious  occasion. 

Harry  Bulger,  famous  for  his  comedy  creations  in  many  Broadway  pro- 
ductions, was  one  of  the  original  members  of  the  Al.  G.  Field's  Minstrels, 
whose  initial  performance  was  given  at  Marion,  Ohio,  October  6,  1886;  he 
was  of  the  team  of  Bulger  and  Jenkins. 

Subsequently  ]\Ir.  Bulger  joined  forces  with  Sherrie  Matthews,  doing  a 
black  face  act. 

Emil  Heusel,  of  the  German  comedy  team  of  Heusel  and  Walsh,  played 
many  black-face  parts  with  Harrigan  and  Hart  in  the  70's  and  8o's,  and  was 
also  a  song  and  dance  man  with  Barlow,  Wilson  and  Rankin's  Minstrels  in 
1885.     He  was  born  in  New  York,  April  17,  1866. 

Al.  Hart,  famous  for  his  impersonation  of  Wang,  in  the  opera  of  that  name, 
as  well  as  other  prominent  companies,  came  to  the  United  States  about  1880, 
and  made  his  first  appearance  with  Tuck's  Minstrels  in  Buffalo,  N.  Y., 
shortly  after. 

In  1884  he  was  with  Lester  and  Allen's  Minstrels  as  interlocutor.  About 
Februar)^  1885,  he  became  a  member  of  the  famous  Clipper  Quartette,  with 
whom  he  appeared  for  eight  years,  mostly  in  black-face.  Mr.  Hart  was  born 
in  Liverpool,  England,  December,  1866. 

Greg.  Patti  (Gregory  Patti)  is  widely  known  in  social  circles  in  New  York, 
Philadelphia  and  their  environs  as  the  "Little  Comedian." 

Mr.  Patti  defied  all  theatrical  traditions  by  making  his  initial  profes- 
sional appearance  on  the  thirteenth  anniversary  of  his  birth. 

Ten  years  later  he  organized  the  "Greg.   Patti  Minstrels,"  since  which 


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326  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

time  he  appeared  at  various  functions  of  the  elite,  among  whom  may  be  men- 
tioned Mr.  Pembroke  Jones,  Mrs.  Stuyvesant  Fish,  Mr.  William  K.  Vander- 
bilt,  Jr.,  Mrs.  James  Speye-  Mr.  Roy  Rainey,  Mr.  Paul  Rainey,  Mr.  Juilliard, 
Mrs.  Murray  and  many  others. 

In  addition  he  has  shown  with  his  merry  little  band  at  many  of  the  bon 
ton  clubs,  notably,  the  Metropolitan  (known  as  the  "Millionaires"),  Union 
League,  Equestrian,  at  Sherry's,  all  in  New  York  City. 

Also  at  the  Tuxedo,  at  Tuxedo ;  Fort  Orange  at  Albany,  N.  Y. ;  Algon- 
quin, at  Bridgeport,  Conn. ;  Lakewood  Club,  at  Lakewood,  N.  J.,  and  numer- 
ous others. 

Like  his  illustrious  namesake  and  relative,  Mr.  Patti  reaches  for  the  high 
notes — and  gets  them. 

Greg.  Patti  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  March  23,  1866. 

BoARDMAN  Carnes  was  One  of  the  best  known  vocalists  in  present  day 
minstrelsy. 

He  was  long  a  member  of  the  Quaker  City  Quartette,  and  had  devel- 
oped into  being  a  fine  interlocutor. 

He  was  associated  with  several  first-class  minstrel  companies,  notably 
Al.  G.  Field's,  with  whom  he  was  associated  at  the  time  of  his  death,  which 
occurred  at  Pt.  Pleasant,  W.  Va.,  December  29,  1907.  He  was  about  35 
years  of  age. 

Matt.  Keefe.  Minstrelsy  has  produced  some  very  good  Yodlers  in  the  past ; 
but  old-timers,  who  should  know,  say  that  Mr.  Keefe  compares  favc  '  ly  with 
any  of  them. 

If  Matt.  Keefe  had  developed  into  a  comedian  instead  of  a  vocalist,  no  one 
would  have  been  surprised,  because  the  honor  of  having  been  born  next  door  to 
the  house  Mark  Twain  used  to  live,  belongs  to  Mr.  Keefe. 

He  made  his  first  professional  appearance  at  Leadville,  Colo.,  in  1887.  Al. 
Fields  Company  was  his  first  minstrel  engagement ;  he  was  with  Primrose  and 
Dockstader,  and  Pockitader's  Minstrels,  totaling  six  years. 

Season  of  1908-09  saw  him  with  Cohan  and  Harris'  Minstrels;  and  for  two 
years  he  was  with  Tony  Pearl  in  vaudeville. 

Matt.  Keefe  was  born  in  Hannibal,  Mo.,  August  13,  1867. 

Edwin  Guy,  one  of  the  famous  Guy  Brothers,  has  been  a  member  of  that 
minstrel  organization  many  years.  Mr.  Guy  is  an  eccentric  comedian  of  unique 
methods. 

He  was  born  in  New  York,  May  4,  1867. 

TiERNEY  and  Wayne  formed  a  partnership  in  the  early  8o's,  doing  black- 
face songs  and  dances. 

In  1885  they  were  with  Barlow,  Wilson  and  Rankin's  Minstrels;  they  con- 
tinued in  black-face  until  1888  when  they  played  white-face  parts  with  "Zig-Zag." 

Mr.  Wayne  subsequently  married  Anna  Caldwell,  and  as  Wayne  and  Caldwell 
they  traveled  several  seasons. 

Mr.  Wayne  is  still  in  vaudeville — with  another  Mrs.  Wayne. 

Charley  Wayne  was  born  in  Ft.  Wayne,  Ind.,  August  10,  1867. 

James  B.  Tierney  died  in  New  York,  October  18,  1891 ;  age  30  years. 


FROM  -DADDY''  RICE  TO  DATE.  327 

John  W.  Early,  a  capable  baritone  singer,  of  late  years  with  burlesque  com- 
panies, was  with  Billy  Rice's  Minstrels  in  1897,  and  the  following  year  became  a 
member  of  Haverly's  Company ;  the  last  that  famous  manager  ever  exploited. 
Subsequently  he  was  with  Lew  Dockstader's  Minstrels. 

In  December,  1904,  Mr.  Early  and  Miss  Late  formed  an  alliance  to  do 
sketches;  since  then  they  have  been  playing — Early  and  Late. 

John  W.  Early  was  born  in  Dayton,  Ohio,  September  29,  1867. 

Bert  M.\rion  (John  Ryerson)  made  his  first  appearance  at  the  old  Wigwam 
in  Paterson,  N.  J.,  1877,  playi"g  boy  parts  in  white-face;  shortly  after  doing 
black-face  songs  and  dances,  being  known  as  Master  Ryerson. 

At  the  age  of  16  he  joined  forces  with  Dave  Zimmer,  doing  a  black-face  act 
with  him  until  1890,  when  he  formed  a  partnership  with  the  late  Billy  Pearl, 
and  as  Marion  and  Pearl  continued  more  than  eight  years,  playing  with  such  well- 
known  minstrel  companies  as  Haverly's  (Xankeville's)  ;  Barlow  Bros.,  Gorton's, 
Cleveland's,  and  two  seasons  under  their  own  management  with  Marion,  Pearl 
and  Pendleton's  Minstrels. 

After  separating  from  Mr.  Pearl,  Mr.  Marion  formed  an  alliance  with  his 
wife,  Sabel  Dean,  and  as  Marion  and  Dean  have  played  all  the  prominent  vaude- 
ville houses  for  more  than  ten  years. 

Bert  Marion  was  born  in  Paterson,  N.  J.,  August  7,  1867. 

Harry  "Scamp"  Montgomery,  well  and  favorably  known  as  a  capable  de- 
lineator of  black-face  characters,  with  his  brother  Dave,  now  of  Montgomery  and 
Stone,  appeared  as  one  of  the  Montgomery  Bros.,  the  "Pullman  Porters,"  about 
1888 ;  a  short  time  previous  he  had  been  with  Forepaugh's  Circus.  In  1889  he  was 
with  Beach  and  Bowers'  Minstrels,  and  subsequently  with  Crawford  Bros.  (To- 
peka,  Kan.)  Minstrels. 

Several  years  ago  he  joined  Tony  Pearl  in  a  musical  act,  and  as  Montgomery 
and  Pearl  they  played  all  the  first-class  vaudeville  houses,  as  well  as  many  high- 
class  combinations. 

Mr.  Montgomery  created  the  negro  part  of  Eaton  Ham,  in  George  M. 
Cohan's  "Geo.  Washington,  Jr.,"  and  played  such  other  black-face  character 
parts  as  Low  Down  Smith,  in  "Cape  Cod  Folks."  and  Sylvester  O.  Nightingale, 
in  "Mary's  Lamb."  For  brief  periods  he  was  "Sheppard,"  of  Wood  and  Shep- 
pard,  hkewise  "Bogert,"  of  Bogert  and  O'Brien;  now  Neil  O'Brien,  the  great 
black-face  comedian. 

During  the  World's  Fair  in  Cliicago,  he  was  the  drummer  in  Sousa's  Band. 

The  present  season  of  1910,  Mr.  Montgomery  .was  especially  engaged  by 
Geo.  AL  Cohan  to  create  the  part  of  Abe.  Gunther,  in  Mr.  Cohan's  latest  play, 
"Get  Rich  Quick  Wallingford."  Needless  to  say,  Mr.  Montgomery  made  a 
decided  hit — and  in  white  face. 

"Scamp"  Montgomery  was  born  in  St.  Joseph,  Mo.,  April  2,  1867. 

Rees  Prosser  sings  a  ballad  in  a  manner  that  is  entirely  his  own,  and  thereby 
hangs  a  tale ;  it's  a  simple  enough  story ;  the  answer  being  "He's  always  en- 
gaged." 

His  first  appearance  was  in  his  native  state,  in  the  city  of  Terre  haute,  as 
a  member  of  the  Wabash  Minstrels  twenty  years  ago.    Beach  and  Bowers  was  the 


328  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

first  professional  minstrel  engagement;  others  were  Al.  G.  Field's,  nine  years; 
Cleveland's,  and  Dockstader's. 

June  I.  1910,  "Rees  Prosser"  was  murdered;  some  place  in  the  far  west.  We 
'uns  in  New  York  thought  it  was  our  Rees  Prosser ;  Mr.  Prosser  indignantly 
denied  that  he  was  ever  shot;  north,  east,  south  or  west;  and  his  reputation  for 
veracity  is  so  good  that  argument  was  unnecessary. 

Rees  Prosser  was  born  in  New  Albany,  Ind.,  September  13,  1867. 

Waterbury  Bros,  made  their  first  professional  appearance  with  Vreeland's 
Minstrels  doing  a  straight  musical  act  in  1892 ;  the  same  year  they  played  their 
first  vaudeville  engagement  at  Shea's  Music  Hall  in  Buffalo.  In  1894  they  were 
joined  by  Chas.  Kenna,  the  comedian,  the  act  then  was  known  as  Waterbury 
Bros,  and  Kenna. 

In  the  Summer  of  1895  Ernest  Tenney  replaced  Kenna,  and  as  Waterbury 
Bros,  and  Tenney  they  have  since  been  known. 

Geo.  N.  Waterbury  was  born  in  New  York  City,  December  14,  1867. 

Edw.  M.  Waterbury  was  born  in  Stamford,  Conn.,  May  2y,  1871. 

Ernest  Tenney,  one  of  the  famous  Tenney  family  who  gave  series  of  con- 
certs some  years  ago,  began  his  career  as  a  member  of  the  family  August  6,  1882; 
the  company  comprising  father,  mother,  sister,  and  four  brothers,  in  addition 
to  the  subject  of  this  sketch;  he  remained  a  member  of  this  organization  until 
1889 ;  engagements  followed  with  an  Uncle  Tom  troupe  (no,  reader,  Mr.  Tenney 
did  not  play  Eva)  ;  after  Tom  came  the  Daniel  Boone  Company  and  a  return  to 
the  family  fold  for  a  brief  period;  then  an  engagement  with  Gray  and  Stephen's 
"Vesper  Bells"  Company,  after  which  he  joined  Harry  Whiting  in  a  comedy 
musical  act.  In  August,  1893,  he  joined  the  Four  Emperors  of  Music,  and  in 
September,  1893,  the  "Emperors"  joined  Cleveland's  Minstrels  for  a  few  months; 
June  15,  1895,  he  left  Three  Emperors  and  immediately  joined  the  Waterbury 
Bros. 

Waterbury  Bros,  and  Tenney  have  played  the  principal  vaudeville  houses 
since  their  alliance  in  1893 ;  also  engagements  with  Cleveland's,  Primrose  and 
West's,  Wm.  H.  West's  and  Cohan  and  Harris'  Minstrels,  also  two  seasons  with 
Harry  Williams  Company,  and  a  season  with  Sam  Scribner. 

Weber  and  Fields,  the  famous  German  comedians,  who  for  many  years 
did  all  they  could  to  disintegrate  the  King's  English,  did  a  black-face  act  at 
Turn  Hall,  in  New  York,  about  thirty  years  ago. 

They  were  each  born  in  New  York  City;  Mr.  Weber,  August  17,  1867;  Mr. 
Fields,  December  31,  1867. 

Arthur  C.  Rigby  ranks  with  the  best  of  present  day  monologists.  Mr. 
Rigby  has  a  unique  style  of  delivery,  pleasant  address  and  excellent  enunciation, 
all  of  which  spell  success. 

His  first  appearance  was  made  in  Paterson,  N.  J.,  as  a  member  of  St.  Jo- 
seph Cadets  Temperance  Society,  under  the  management  of  Con.  Tracey.  His 
debut  professionally  was  made  at  Newark,  N.  J.,  in  1883,  doing  a  black-face 
banjo  solo. 

A  few  years  later  Mr.  Rigby  made  his  initial  appearance  with  a  minstrel 


BILLY    O'DAY 


"SCAMP"    MONTGOMERY 

This  page  is  the  exclusive  property  of  "Scamp"  Montgomery  and  Billy  O'Day. 
Trespassers  will  be  rigidly  prosecuted. 


330  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

company  as  a  member  of  the  Gorman  Bros,  organization;  subsequently  he  ap- 
peared with  Cleveland's,  Al.  G.  Field's  and  Vogel's  Minstrels. 

And  not  only  that,  but  he  played  black-face  parts  with  Joe  Weber's  "Hip, 
Hip,  Hooray"  Company;  "Natural  Gas"  and  "The  Rainmakers;"  with  the  lat- 
ter originating  the  "darky"  role  in  the  play. 

Of  late  years  Mr.  Rigby's  talents  have  been  displayed  in  vaudeville  exclu- 
sively. 

Arthur  C.  Rigby  was  born  in  Macclesfield,  England,  April  4,   1867. 

S.\NFORD  B.  Ric.\iiY  had  his  first  experience  in  amusements  as  a  bill-poster 
with  Whitney's  Family  Circus  in  1884. 

Two  years  later  he  assumed  the  management  of  the  Opera  Flouse  in  his 
home  town,  and  continued  in  that  capacity  for  three  years. 

Subsequently  he  was  identified  with  several  well-known  attractions  until 
about  ten  years  ago,  when  he  became  associated  with  Wm.  H.  West's  Minstrels; 
after  the  death  of  the  latter,  Mr.  Ricaby  purchased  the  show  from  Mrs.  West, 
who  had  been  requested  by  her  husband  to  continue  the  minstrels  with  Mr. 
Ricaby  as  manager,  after  Mr.  West's  decease. 

Sanford  B.  Ricaby  was  born  in  Hillsdale,  Mich.,  May  26,  1867. 

Wji.  D.  Hall,  author,  actor,  playwright,  manager  and  other  things  the- 
atrical, savs  he  had  a  serpentine  career,  although  never  having  done  a  dance  of 
that  name. 

Mr.  Hall's  stage  career  began  as  a  "prodigy"  at  the  age  of  ten;  city,  Balti- 
more ;  theatre,  Odeon.  Musical  Comedy,  drama,  variety,  vaudeville  and  min- 
strelsy has  he  also  been  associated  with. 

He  wrote  the  life  of  "Dan"  Emmett,  the  immortal  composer  of  "Dixie"  and 
a  play  for  the  late  Ernest  Hogan ;  he  also  wrote  several  letters  to  the  author. 

Mr.  Hall  began  the  present  season  of  1910  with  Dumont's  Minstrels  in 
Philadelphia. 

He  is  a  son  of  George  L.  Flail,  the  oldest  living  minstrel  vocalist. 

Wm.  D.  Hall  was  born  in  Washington,  D.  C,  December  25,  1867. 

Willie  Collier  (I  always  call  him  Willie),  the  favorite  comedian,  is  just 
as  funny  in  black-face  as  in  white;  at  least  he  was  on  the  night  of  October  12, 
1896,  when  as  a  colored  damsel  he  sang  and  danced  in  the  performance  of  "Miss 
Philadelphia,"  at  the  Park  Theatre,  Philadelphia. 

Mr.  Collier  was  born  in  New  York  City,  November  12,  1867. 

NEIL.  O'BRIEN 

has  long  ranked  with  the  great  comedians  that  have  tended  to  make  minstrelsy- 
famous. 

Mr.  O'Brien  portrays  an  eccentric  negro  of  the  South,  a  real  flesh  and  blood 
darky,  not  an  exaggerated  caricature ;  and  therein  lies  his  success. 

Indeed  his  depiction  of  the  colored  man  is  so  realistic,  so  artistic  and  so 
natural,  that  in  the  cities  wherein  they  are  so  largely  represented,  during  the 
performances  in  which  Mr.  O'Brien  was  a  contributing  factor,  they  would  in- 
variably argue  among  themselves  as  to  whom  among  their  number  the  coun- 
terfeit  darky   of   the   stage   was  most    like ;  it's  Henry  White,  one  would  say, 


NEIL  O'BRIEN. 


FROM  "DADDY-  RICE  TO  DATE.  331 

while  another  was  equally  positive  Mr.  O'Brien  was  imitating  Jim  Jackson,  both 
of  these  gentlemen  named  being  members  of  their  "set." 

Mr.  O'Brien  first  appeared  theatrically  in  1889  with  the  "Student  Min- 
strels" in  Binghamton,  N.  Y.,  and  nearby  cities;  he  sat  on  an  "end."  He  later 
was  one  of  the  team  of  O'Brien  and  Bell;  they  dissolved  partnership  in  1891, 
and  the  musical  act  of  Bogert  and  O'Brien  was  formed  in  March  that  year,  and 
they  continued  as  partners  for  ten  years. 

Mr.  O'Brien  was  with  Haverly's  J\Iinstrels  in  Chicago  in  1892,  and  remained 
one  year ;  in  1898  he  was  again  with  Haverly  on  the  last  tour  made  by  the  fa- 
mous manager. 

Seasons  of  1896-97-98  he  was  with  AI.  G.  Field's  Minstrels.  He  joined 
Primrose  and  Dockstader's  Minstrels  in  1899,  and  continued  with  them  until 
the  dissolution  of  the  organization  in  1903. 

That  same  year  he  cast  his  fortunes  with  Lew  Dockstader's  Minstrels,  with 
whom  he  remained  until  the  Spring  of  1910.  At  the  present  time  Mr.  O'Brien 
is  appearing  in  vaudeville  with  marked  success  in  an  elaborate  black-face  act 
called  "Fighting  the  Flames;"  as  a  raw  fireman  who  has  bought  his  way  into 
the  department,  Mr.  O'Brien  is  excruciatingly  funny. 

Neil  O'Brien  was  born  in  Port  Dickinson,  N.  Y.,  July  16,  1868,  and  enjoys 
the  distinction  of  having  received  one  of  the  largest  salaries  of  any  minstrel 
performer. 

J.  A.  CoBURN,  proprietor  and  manager  of  the  Coburn  Greater  Minstrels,  has 
achieved  considerable  fame  as  a  cornetist;  to  say  that  Mr.  Coburn  has  blown 
his  own  horn  since  he  was  ten  years  old,  is  no  reflection  upon  him  whatever. 

Before  starting  on  his  minstrel  career,  he  was  cornetist  with  the  Elgin,  111.. 
National  Watch  Company  i\Iilitary  Band,  and  others.  His  first  professional 
appearance  was  of  the  musical  team  of  Trewetz  and  Coburn,  in  1886.  Subse- 
quently in  1800  he  joined  Louis  Baldwin  in  a  comedy  act,  and  continued  with 
the  latter  until  his  (Baldwin's)  death. 

Mr.  Coburn 's  first  minstrel  engagement  was  with  the  W.  S.  Cleveland  Com- 
pany, in  1893. 

Five  years  later  he  was  owner  and  manager  of  the  original  Barlow  Bros. 
Minstrels ;  subsequently  known  as  the  Great  Barlow  Minstrels. 

Air.  Coburn  rehearses  and  directs  his  own  show,  and  has  the  distinction 
of  being  one  of  the  best  known  men  in  the  minstrel  business. 

A  fine  home  at  Daytona,  Fla.,  is  a  tribute  that  speaks  volumes  for  his 
twenty-four  years  in  the  profession. 

J.  A.  Coburn  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  March  12,  1868. 

Of  Corse  Payton  blacked  up.  As  a  matter  of  cold  fact,  his  first  professional 
appearance  was  made  at  a  county  fair  less  than  a  million  miles  from  Centreville, 
Iowa ;  Mr.  Payton  was  the  end  man  in  a  minstrel  show  there.  Later  he  was  with 
a  repertoire  company  that  acted  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin ;"  and  the  report  is  that 
he  played  every  character  in  the  play  including  Eva ;  he  only  got  cold  feet  when 
they  insisted  on  his  playing  the  "cake  of  ice." 

Now  to  be  serious — the  king  of  10,  20,  30  played  Wool,  a  black-face  part 
in  the  "Hidden  Hand"  at  Payton's  Lee  Avenue  Theatre,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  com- 
mencing Novanber  4,  1901. 


222  '  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTREL^ .  , 

Corse  Payton  was  born  in  Centreville,  Iowa,  December  i8,  1867;  and  Cen- 
treville  has  never  been  sorry. 

Eddie  Horan,  the  well-known  dancer  and  producer,  made  his  first  profes- 
sional appearance  with  Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels  in  1885 ;  sub- 
sequently appearing  with  the  following  prominent  minstrel  companies' — Hiu 
Henry,  three  seasons :  Al.  G.  Fields,  five  seasons,  and  two  years  with  Wm.  H. 
West's  Company.  With  the  exception  of  the  first  mentioned  company,  he  was 
general  producer  for  the  others. 

Ten  years  with  three  such  organizations  is  a  record  of  which  Mr.  Horan 
may  justly  feel  proud. 

Subsequently  he  appeared  successfully  with  several  well-known  dramatic 
companies ;  after  which  he  returned  to  minstrelsy  with  The  George  Primrose  Co. 
Mr.  Horan  has  played  vaudeville  for  the  past  few  seasons. 

Eddie  Horan  was  born  in  Hartford,  Conn. — after  Lew  Dockstader. 

Wm.  H.  Hallett  is  well  and  favorably  known  as  an  interlocutor  in  present 
day  minstrelsy. 

His  first  engagement  with  a  minstrel  organization  was  with  the  Wm.  H. 
West  Company  in  1896. 

Subsequently  he  joined  the  Primrose  and  Dockstader  Company,  remaining 
three  seasons,  after  which  he  identified  himself  with  Lew  Dockstader  for  the 
same  period. 

Mr.  Hallett  then  forsook  cork  for  grease  paint,  and  for  two  years  was 
with  Charley  Grapewin  in  "The  Awakening  of  Mr.  Pipp;"  at  the  end  of  that  pe- 
riod (Mr.  Hallett,  not  Mr.  Pipp)  felt  uneasy,  and  no  one  seemed  surprised, 
when  at  the  opening  of  the  season  of  1908,  our  rotund  interlocutor  was  found  in 
his  accustomed  place  with  Lew  Dockstader's  Minstrels,  where  he  remained  two 
years. 

He  is  now  in  vaudeville  with  Neil  O'Brien. 

Before  his  minstrel  engagements  Mr.  Hallett  was  with  the  "Gay  Debu- 
tante;" "Sis  Hopkins;"  and  the  "Daughter  of  Cuba."  In  none  of  these  plays 
did  he  assume  the  title-role. 

Wm.  H.  Hallett  was  born  in  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  October  13,  1868. 

Ned  Monroe  (Edwin  James  Pyle).  Amusement  seekers  lost  one  of  the 
very  best  black-face  comedians  of  a  generation  when  Ned  Monroe  forsook  burnt- 
cork  for  grease  paint;  for  one  doesn't  have  to  be  a  modern  jMethusaleh  to  re- 
member the  act  of  Monroe  and  Mack. 

Mr.  Monroe's  first  partner,  amateurly  speaking,  was  Sam  Gillespie,  of 
Philadelphia. 

In  the  Fall  of  1888  with  Kellar  Mack  he  formed  a  partnership,  and  they 
made  their  first  appearance  in  Baltimore,  as  Monroe  and  Mack,  at  a  joint  salary 
of  $40.00 ;  the  term  "joint"  does  not  necessarily  apply  to  the  place  they  played  in. 

Altogether  the  act  was  one  of  the  pronounced  successes  of  vaudeville  during 
the  decade  or  so  they  continued  as  partners. 

After  the  dissolution,  Mr.  Monroe  had  various  partners  under  the  team 
name  of  Monroe  and  Mack.  He  also  appeared  successfully  in  farce,  notably  the 
"Prodigal  Father,"  "Johnny  on  the  Spot,"  "A  Hot  Old  Time." 

In  1897  ^^''^I''  JsTy  Hart,  he  starred  in  the  "Gay  Matinee  Girl." 


WILL  H.    MORTON 


SAM.   GARDNER 


W.    H.    BROCKWAY 


G.    W.    H.    GRIFFIN 


WH.  H.  WEST 


J.    R.    KEMBLE 


w 


^' 


^A^ 


E.    M.    KAYNE  E.    N.    SLOCUM  gAM.   WELLS 

"MEN  OF  THE  MIDDLE" ;  ALL  PASSED  AWAY. 


334  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTkELSY. 

Mr.  Monroe  married  Fern  IMelrose,  an  actress,  about  1896. 

On  the  last  day  of  January,  1901,  he  took  to  wife  Miss  Nellie  Lawrence, 
a  v/ell-known  legitimate  actress,  with  whom  he  has  been  associated  professionally 
practically  ever  since. 

Ned  Monroe  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  January  2,  1868. 

John  H.  King  is  such  an  excellent  "rough  wench"  performer  that  his  abili- 
ties as  a  good  all-round  comedian  are  sometimes  lost  sight  of. 

Mr.  King's  first  theatrical  engagement  was  with  the  J.  G.  Stutt's  Repertoire 
Company;  they  traveled  in  a  coach — by  easy  "stages";  this  was  in  18S7,  and 
would  you  believe  it  ?   Mr.  King  played  character  old  men. 

After  this  he  doubled  with  Harry  McDonald,  and  they  played  vaudeville 
for  three  years,  doing  a  black-face  specialty;  then  came  a  season  with  Bert  Swor, 
under  the  team  name  of  Swor  and  King.  Mr.  King  afterwards  joined  Walter 
McMahon,  and  continued  with  him  several  years;  subsequently  his  partner  was 
Tim  Barrett,  but  the  team  name  of  McMahon  and  King  continued  to  be  used; 
likewise  when  Frank  Hammond  and  Mr.  King  were  with  Wm.  H.  West's  Min- 
strels in  1899.  With  the  West  (Ricaby)  Minstrels  he  did  a  specialty  with 
Fred  Huber. 

His  last  partner  to  date  was  Earl  Benham ;  and  this  was  "some"  act.  Mr. 
King  at  various  times  has  been  associated  with  the  following  well-known  min- 
strel organizations — Haverly's,  Primrose  and  West's,  Fli  Henry's,  Frank  Cush- 
man's,  Billy  Emerson's,  Billy  Rice's,  Harry  Davis',  in  Pittsburgh,  Pa.,  and  Cohan 
and  Harris'.   Besides  Mr.  King  there  is  a  queen,  and  two  lovely  young  princesses. 

John  H.  King  was  born  in  Atlanta,  Ga.,  March  30,  1868. 

Maude  Raymond,  the  vivacious  comedienne,  who  is  always  charming  in 
everything  she  plays,  was  none  the  less  so  as  Topsy  in  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin," 
at  the  Academy  of  Music,  New  York,  commencing  March  4,  1901.  When  she 
said,  "Golly,  I'se  so  wicked,"  no  one  believed  it. 

Paul  Quinn  began  his  professional  career  as  one  of  the  team  of  Ouinn 
and  Welch,  doing  a  black-face  act  with  Georgie  Melnotte's  Female  Minstrels; 
subsequent  minstrel  engagements  were  with  Barlow  Bros. ;  Gorman  Bros.,  and 
Primrose  and  West.  In  1891  he  became  a  member  of  the  Big  Four,  playing  the 
principal  vaudeville  time,  and  engagements  with  Cleveland's,  also  Dockstader's 
Minstrels,  also  Tony  Pastor's  road  show.  Season  of  1895-96  Kennedy  and  Ouinn 
played  Carncross'  ilinstrels  in  Philadelphia.  In  1896  Mr.  Ouinn  appeared  for 
the  first  time  in  white-face. 

Commencing  in  1897  and  for  five  years  thereafter,  Thomas  and  Ouinn  in 
"McFadden's  Flats,"  and  Halliday  and  Ouinn  in  "Happy  Flooligan"  were  under 
the  Gus  Hill  banner. 

In  1903  Mr.  Quinn  wrote  and  starred  in  "The  Funny  Mr.  Dooley,"  with 
Charles  H.  Smith  and  the  late  Frank  D.  Bryan,  this  alliance  lasted  three  years. 

He  joined  hands  with  Joe  Mitchell  in  1906,  and  as  Quinn  and  Mitchell,  they 
are  now  playing  vaudeville. 

Paul  Quinn  was  born  in  Lowell,  Mass.,  June  29,  1868. 

Gus  Sun,  the  present  head  of  the  big  vaudeville  circuit  that  bears  his  name, 
began  his  professional  career  as  a  co-proprietor  of  the  famous  Sun  Bros.  Circus, 


FROM  -DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  335 

with  which  he  was  identified  for  several  years.  Later  he  organized  the  Gus  Sun 
Alinstrels,  and  was  identified  with  it  until  the  company  closed  in  1904. 

On  October  i,  that  year,  Air.  Sun  opened  in  Springfield,  Ohio,  the  first  fam- 
ily theatre  in  that  section  of  the  country.  July  i,  1907,  ground  was  broken  for  the 
new  Sun  Theatre  in  Springfield,  and  on  November  24,  same  year,  it  was  formally 
opened  to  the  public. 

During  his  active  stage  career  Mr.  Sun  was  recognized  as  a  juggler  of 
unusual  ability. 

January  16,  1897,  Mr.  Sun  was  married  to  Aliss  Nellie  Alfredo,  of  Youngs- 
town,  Ohio;  three  children,  Louise,  Nina  and  Gus,  Jr.,  blessed  their  union. 

Gus.  Sun  was  born  at  Toledo,  Ohio,  October  7,  1868. 

Raymond  Hitchcock,  whose  unique  personality  in  musical  comedy  has 
made  him  a  popular  favorite  for  several  seasons  past,  took  the  place  of  George 
Evans  with  the  Cohan  and  Harris  Minstrels,  February  12,  1909,  at  Auburn, 
N.  Y.,  during  Mr.  Evans'  severe  illness,  and  finished  out  the  season  with  the 
company.  That  was  not  the  first  time  Mr.  Hitchcock  ever  blacked  up;  away 
back  in — but  never  mind. 

Eddie  Bogert,  who  joined  hands  with  Neil  O'Brien  in  a  black-face  musical 
act  in  March,  1891,  was,  prior  to  that  of  the  team  of  Bogert  and  Henchett. 

Mr.  Bogert  retired  from  the  profession  about  ten  years  ago,  and  is  now  en- 
gaged in  business  in  Binghamton,  N.  Y. 

Tim  McAL\hon  (Barrett)  was  a  barber  in  Philadelphia  about  fifteen  years 
ago  or  so.  While  there  he  "scraped"  an  acquaintance  with  John  King.  The  re- 
sult— McMahon  and  King,  ]\Ic]\Iahon  and  Chapelle,  McAlahon's  "Watermelon 
Girls"  and  McMahon's  "Pullman  Parlor  Alaids." 

How'd  you  like  to  be  McMahon? 

N.^T  Wills,  famous  for  his  tramp  impersonations  in  vaudeville,  Detroit  and 
other  municipalities,  gamboled  (notice  the  spelling)  at  the  "Lambs"  Minstrel 
show  at  the  Metropolitan  Opera  House,  New  York,  IMay  31,  1909.  His  make-up 
was  a  dark  black. 

James  H.  Manning,  of  the  once  popular  Silver  Bells  Quartette,  of  Baker 
Jones,  Planning  and  Davis,  with  that  great  black-face  act  consisting  of  two  males 
and  two  "wenches,"  played  all  the  first-class  variety  houses  and  were  with  Lew 
Dockstader's  JMinstrels  in  New  York,  the  greater  time  of  their  existence  from 
1886  to  1889. 

The  feature  of  this  act  was  the  wearing  of  a  set  of  bells  around  the  waists  of 
each,  and  during  the  song  and  dance  they  played  these  to  the  air  of  Barney 
Pagan's  "Wedding  Bells" ;  and  it  may  be  truthfully  stated  that  a  prettier  song 
and  dance  "four"  act  has  never  been  seen. 

James  H.  Manning  was  born  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  July  27,  1869. 

E.  W.  Chipman  (front  name  Everett)  made  his  first  professional  appearance 
with  George  H.  Irving's  California  Minstrels  in  November,  1884;  Mr.  Chipman 
was  the  bass  singer,  not  the  base  singer  of  the  company. 

After  this  came  the  Whitmore  and  Clark's  Minstrels  and  Hennessy  Bros. 


336  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Minstrels;  then  a  painfully  brief  season  with  Chipman,  Goss  and  Hyam's  Min- 
strels; but  why  dwell  further? 

Mr.  Chipman  recovered,  and  joined  Barlow  Bros.  Minstrels  and  remained 
with  them  as  interlocutor  for  five  years ;  he  also  sang. 

Subsequently  he  played  engagements  with  George  Arlington's;  Deming, 
Sweet  and  DeCourcey's  "A  Stranger"  Company;  two  seasons  with  Cleveland's; 
Gus.  Sun's,  three  seasons;  Wm.  H.  West's,  and  Ed.  Bartlett's  California  Min- 
strels. 

It  was  while  with  the  latter  organization  that  Mr.  Chipman  conceived  the 
dark  design  of  becoming  a  burlesque  manager;  this  was  in  Nyack,  N.  Y.,  De- 
cember, 1898. 

In  1905  he  was  manager  of  the  Colonial  Theatre,  Lawrence,  Mass. ;  likewise 
did  he  manage  for  Rice  and  Barton's  Burlesque  Company,  two  seasons;  same 
period  for  T.  VV.  Dinkin's  "Innocent  Maids"  Company;  Ginger  Girls  and  other 
girly  girly  companies. 

Altogether  IMr.  Chipman  was  twenty-one  years  in  minstrelsy;  nineteen  of 
which  he  sat  in  the  middle. 

E.  W.  Chipman  was  born  in  Lynn,  Mass.,  March  13,  1869. 

Fulton  Bros.,  the  "Two  Dromios  of  Minstrelsy,"  so  called  because  of  their 
similarity  in  general  make  up  on  the  stage. 

Their  careers  began  in  the  early  8o's  as  stars  of  their  own  organization,  the 
Fulton  Bros.  Minstrels,  playing  in  the  South,  the  tour  was  under  the  direction 
of  their  father. 

They  subsequently  in  conjunction  with  Edwin  Warren  formed  the  "Orion 
Trio"  and  produced  with  much  success  in  vaudeville  the  Fulton  Bros,  trick-house 
act  called  "A  Hot  Chase." 

The  brothers  first  important  minstrel  engagement  was  with  Lester  and 
Allen's  Minstrels  in  18S5;  afterwards  they  were  prominently  identified  with  such 
high-class  organizations  as  Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West's ;  Haverly-Cleveland 
Company  and  George  Wilson's.  With  the  latter  company  they  worked  with  Hi 
Tom  Ward ;  the  alliance  was  known  as  Fulton  Bros,  and  Hi.  Tom  Ward. 

With  George  A\'ilson's  Minstrels  they  put  on  the  big  song  and  dance  num- 
bers. 

A  few  years  ago  the  brothers  separated  for  business  reasons,  William  going 
into  vaudeville,  and  James,  possessing  executive  abilities  equal  to  his  terpsichorean 
talents,  accepted  the  managerial  position  with  the  Golden  Crook  burlesque  com- 
pany five  years  ago,  and  has  been  with  it  ever  since. 

James  C.  Fulton  was  born  in  New  Orleans,  La.,  December  17,  1869. 

Wm.  T.  Fulton  was  born  in  Pass  Christian,  Miss.,  October  12,  1871. 

Keller  ]\L\ck  (Wm.  S.  Keller)  formed  a  partnership  with  Ned  Monroe 
in  the  Fall  of  18S8,  doing  a  black-face  act  at  the  Baltimore  Museum.  Baltimore, 
Md. ;  as  Monroe  and  Mack  they  played  together  until  1896;  giving  one  of  the 
very  best  black-face  acts  ever  seen  in  vaudeville. 

Mr.  Mack's  playing  of  the  "straight"  in  the  act  ranked  with  the  best. 

After  the  dissolution,  Mr.  J\Iack  played  for  three  seasons  in  "Town  Topics," 
doing  comedy  character  parts  in  white-face ;  then  a  season  as  Finnegan,  in  "Fin- 
negan's  Ball,"  after  which  he  rejoined  Monroe,  and  the  team  duplicated  their 
former  successes,  playing  Koster  and  Bial's  in  New  York  City  for  thirteen  con 


MORT.   EMERSON  WILLIS  CLARK 

(EMERSON  &  CLARK.) 


\ 


\rt 


BILL.    D.\LY  TO.M.    D.\LY 

(DALY  BROS.) 
(The  above  four  were  known  as  the  original  King  High  Kickers.) 


FRANK  DU  RELL  EU.   DU  RELL 

(DU  RELL  TWIN  BROTHERS. 


338  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

secutive  weeks ;  the  partnership  finally  ceased  a  year  later  in  Los  Angeles,  Cal. 
Mr.  Mack  again  returned  to  farce,  and  played  a  white-face  character  part  in  "A 
Hot  Old  Time,"  and  Jonah,  in  "A  Brass  Monkey" ;  this  was  followed  by  two 
seasons  in  vaudeville  with  Tom  Dempsey,  under  the  name  of  Dempsey,  Mack 
and  Company. 

Following  this,  Mr.  Mack  played  the  leading  comqdy  part  in  "A  Stranger  in 
New  York"  and  in  "A  Trip  to  Chinatown"  he  played  Ben  Gay. 

After  this  Mr.  Mack  returned  to  black-face,  doing  principal  end  with  Quin- 
lan's  Minstrels ;  when  this  company  disbanded,  he  joined  hands  with  Dan  Quin- 
lan,  playing  as  Ouinlan  and  Mack  until  1910.  - 

Beyond  a  doubt  Keller  Mack  is  one  of  the  most  versatile  performers  we  have; 
playing  straight  or  comedy,  black  or  white  with  equal  success. 

Keller  Mack  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  July  10,  1869. 

Richard  J.  Jose.  Never  in  the  annals  of  minstrelsy  has  any  singer  met  with 
more  phenomenal  success  than  that  achieved  by  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 

Mr.  Jose  came  to  this  country  as  a  boy,  and  shortly  after  secured  a  position 
as  blacksmith  in  Reno,  Nev.,  where  he  remained  several  years.  Mr.  Jose  while 
at  work  was  always  singing,  and  his  phenomenal  voice,  a  pure  contra  tenor,  at- 
tracted marked  attention. 

His  first  professional  appearance  was  with  Charley  Reed's  Minstrels  in  San 
,  Francisco,  March  2,  1886.  He  remained  with  Reed  until  the  season  ended, 
April  10,  following.  A  few  weeks  later  he  joined  Birch  and  Cotton's  Minstrels 
for  a  brief  road  trip. 

In  September,  1886,  he  joined  Lew  Dockstader's  permanent  minstrel  company 
in  New  York;  here  he  remained  about  three  years.  George  Thatcher's  Min- 
strels and  Tuxedo  Company  had  his  services  for  two  years. 

Mr.  Jose  next  engaged  with  the  "Old  Homestead,"  and  continued  for  eight 
years  with  that  time-honored  favorite ;  after  which  he  again  returned  to  his  first 
love  and  joined  Wm.  H.  West's  Minstrels,  with  whom  he  was  a  feature  for  three 
years.  His  last  appearance  in  minstrelsy  was  with  his  own  company  about  1901 
or  1902. 

Subsequently  he  has  devoted  his  talents  successfully  to  vaudeville  and  dram- 
atic work. 

Mr.  Jose  makes  a  feature  of  singing  the  old  minstrel  ballads.  In  December, 

1909,  he  produced  a  play  written  around  one  of  these  old  favorites,  entitled 
"Silver  Threads  Among  the  Gold." 

Richard  J.  Jose  was  born  in  Cornwall,  England,  June  5,  1869. 

William  H.  Thompson  began  his  minstrel  career  in  Chicago  with  "Kelly 
and  Leon's"  Minstrels  in  1889. 

The  following  year  he  was  with  Cleveland's  Minstrels,  and  from  1890  to 
1893  he  was  with  Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels.  He  then  formed  an  alliance 
with  Fred  Oakland,  and  for  four  years  Oakland  and  Thompson  performed  in 
the  principal  music  halls  of  London  and  the  provinces,  in  a  great  singing  act. 

Mr.  Thompson  returned  to  the  United  States  in  1897,  and  rejoined  Primrose 
and  West's  Minstrels  for  the  season.     Practically  all  of  the  ensuing  time  until 

1910,  when  he  formed  an  alliance  with  Will  Oakland,  has  been  with  the  com- 
panies of  Primrose  and  Dockstader,  and  Lew  Dockstader. 

Mr.  Thompson  is  concededly  one  of  the  foremost  baritones  in  minstrelsy. 
W.  H.  Thompson  was  born  in  Liverpool,  England,  October  28,  1869. 


FROM  -DADDY-  RICE  TO  DATE.  339 

John  L.  Sullivan,  the  former  cliampion  pugilist,  was  the  principal  feature 
of  the  Lester  and  Allen's  Minstrels,  season  of  1885-86. 

Mr.  Sullivan  appeared  in  classic  statuary  poses ;  also  New  York,  Brooklyn 
and  Philadelphia. 

Geo.  Beban  began — in  minstrelsy.  He  had  to  begin  somewhere.  Away  back 
IMarch  19,  1883,  in  San  Francisco  at  the  Standard  Theatre,  he  was  with  Emerson's 
Minstrels. 

The  closing  burlesque  was  "Pinafore" ;  and  the  man  who  can  look  and  talk 
like  Napoleon — before  Waterloo — was  one  of  the  "rapturous  maidens."  O! 
George,  aren't  you  awful. 

Ed.  Latell,  the  well-known  comedian  and  banjoist,  made  his  first  profes- 
sional appearance  at  the  Bella-Union  Theatre  in  San  Francisco,  in  1887.  He 
subsequently  was  a  feature  of  Cleveland's,  and  George  Wilson's  Minstrels. 

^Ir.  Latell  is  no  longer  a  minstrelite,  but  a  vaudevilleite.  He  was  born  in 
Los  Angeles,  Gal.,  about  1869. 

Billy  Gould  ( Wm.  J.  Flannery),  the  brilliant  versatile  comedian,  now  once 
more  of  the  well-known  pair.  Gtndd  and  Surratt,  was  a  ]\Iadrigal  Boy  with 
"Emerson's  Minstrels"  in  San  Francisco  in  1S83. 

Mr.  Gould  was  married  to  Nellie  Marietta  Burt  at  Hurley,  Wis.,  March  24, 
1889;  subsequently  he  became  the  husband  of  \'aleska  Surratt. 

Mr.  Gould  was  born  in  New  York  City,  May  i,  more  than  forty  years  ago, 
but  not  more  than  forty-five. 

George  Evans,  famous  the  country  over  as  the  "Honey  Boy,"  so  called  from 
the  fact  that  he  was  the  author  of  the  famous  song  "Fll  Be  True  to  ;\Iy  Honey 
Boy,"  has  the  distinction  of  being  one  of  the  youngest  minstrel  comedians  heading 
his  own  organization. 

His  first  appearance  was  at  Balser's  Music  Hall,  Canton,  Ohio,  in  1891,  as 
a  member  of  the  Columbia  Quartette;  subsequently  with  Edwin  Mayo's  "Silver 
Age"  Company  he  was  one-fourth  of  the  Southern  Quartette. 

Like  many  other  good  performers,  Mr.  Evans  had  his  experience  with  medi- 
cine shows,  one  of  which  was  the  "East  India  Moon  Plant"  Compan}' ;  he  left 
this  organization  because  he  felt  that  the  title  of  the  company  was  not  dignified 
enough,  nor  in  keeping  with  his  manifold  talents. 

After  some  scouting  he  joined  "Bamboo,  or  the  King  of  Trampiana."  Mr. 
Evans  is  not  a  proud  man,  but  he  was  sure  that  his  ambitions  could  be  better 
realized  with  this  show ;  and  he  felt  so  for  four  days,  when  the  "King  of  Tram- 
piana" tramped — some  place  or  other,  Mr.  Evans  never  exactly  found  where. 

This  near-tragedy  occurred  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  and  I\Ir.  Evans  soon  found 
himself  at  the  Southern  Hotel,  in  the  Mound  City.  Is  there  any  opening  here? 
quoth  our  hero ;  there  was ;  one  of  the  bell  hops,  having  acquired  a  competence 
after  six  consecutive  weeks  of  faithful  service,  had  given  notice,  and  George  was 
installed  in  his  place,  and  remained — until  his  uniform  had  been  paid  for. 

Mr.  Evans'  first  minstrel  engagement  was  at  the  Casino,  with  Haverly,  in 
Chicago,  1892;  he  remained  several  weeks,  and  about  January  i,  1893,  he  joined 
Cleveland's  Minstrels ;  subsequently  he  was  with  Priiafoj''  and  West's  Minstrels, 
nd  in  1894  he  returned  under  the  Haverly  banner. 


340  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Shortly  after  this  he  launclied  forth  as  a  singing  comedian  in  vaudeville,  and 
as  such  continued  for  several  years. 

In  musical  comedy  he  starred  in  "The  Runaways,"  and  "The  Good  Old 
Summer  Time,"  in  which  he  appeared  in  white-face. 

July  27,  1908,  at  Atlantic  City,  N.  J.,  he  opened  with  Cohan  and  Harris' 
Minstrels  at  the  inaugural  performance,  heading  the  company. 

About  March,  1910,  at  Newark,  N.  J.,  Mr.  Evans  became  sole  owner  of  the 
mization. 

He  is  the  author  of  several  popular  songs,  notably — "Standing  on  the  Corner, 
Didn't  Mean  No  Harm;"  "Come  Take  a  Trip  in  My  Airship,"  and  "Down  Where 
the  \\'atermelon  Grows." 

George  Evans  was  born  in  Pontotlyn,  Wales,  March  10,  1870. 

Billy  S.  Clifford,  whose  impersonations  of  the  "chappie"  have  made  him 
famous  the  country  over,  made  his  first  appearance  with  Hi.  Henry's  Minstrels 
in  1882,  as  a  drummer,  and  a  black  one.  The  next  season  he  was  one  of  the 
song  and  dance  men  with  the  Barlow,  Wilson  Company  Minstrels ;  following  this 
came  engagements  with  Robinson's  Circus,  and  Miles  Orton's  Circus,  appearing 
in  black-face  songs  and  dances. 

In  1888  Mr.  Clifford  joined  George  Fuller  Golden,  and  as  Golden  and  Clif- 
ford they  did  a  black-face  song  and  dance  act  for  two  years,  stopping  only  for 
meals  and  sleep. 

In  18SS  he  joined  Al.  G.  Field's  Minstrels  as  an  end  man  and  comedian;  it 
was  here  that  he  conceived  the  idea  of  the  stage  dude,  which  he  did  in  black-face, 
and  which  has  ever  since  been  part  and  parcel  of  his  performances. 

Mr.  Clifford  made  his  first  appearance  in  white- face  about  twenty  years  ago, 
since  which  time  he  has  starred  successfully  in  "Courted  Into  Court" ;  "The 
Jolly  Baron"  and  many  others. 

He  married  Maud  Huth,  July  28,  1891,  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y. 

About  si.x  years  ago  he  built  and  has  since  conducted  the  Urbana  Theatre, 
in  his  native  town. 

This  sea?on  ]\Ir.  Clififord  stars  in  "The  Girl,  the  Man  and  the  Game." 

Billy  S.  Clififord  was  born  in  Urbana,  Ohio,  January  24,  1869. 

The  famous  Freeze  Brothers,  Larry  and  Billy,  had  the  distinction  of  being 
the  champion  tambourine  spinners  of  the  world. 

They  made  their  first  professional  appearance  at  Newton's  Varieties,  in 
Flartford,  Conn.,  in  1879,  doing  a  plantation  song  and  dance;  at  that  time  they 
were  the  youngest  black-face  team  before  the  public. 

The  idea  of  the  double  tambourine  spinning  act  originated  in  the  fertile  brain 
of  their  brother,  John  Freeze,  well  known  as  the  manager  of  the  Opera  House 
in  the  hustling  little  town  of  Rockville,  Conn. 

The  brothers  put  on  amateur  minstrel  shows  in  their  home  town,  and  their 
specialty  was  constantly  improved  upon  by  Billy  Freeze  until  it  attained  the  state 
of  perfection  vaudeville  and  minstrel  lovers  know  so  well. 

In  1885  they  played  their  first  minstrel  engagement  with  Hi  Henry's  Com- 
pany ;  the  two  succeeding  seasons  they  were  with  Lucier's  Minstrels,  while  the 
season  of  1888-89  saw  them  with  the  Van  Derveer's  Minstrels.  Then  came  three 
consecutive  seasons  with  Vreeland's  Minstrels. 

After  this,  five  years  of  vaudeville,  followed  by  a  season  with  Primrose  and 


BARNEY    FAGAN 


R.    M.     ("DICK")     CARROLL 


TOMMY   HYDE 


EDDIE  HORAN 


JOHNNY   DOVE 


WILLIS    PICKERT 


SOME  REAL  DANCERS. 


342 


MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY 


West's  ]\Iinstrels,  commencing  in  1897;  the  next  season  they  were  with  \Vm.  H. 
West's  Minstrels. 

About  1900  they  were  engaged  with  the  Barnum  and  Bailey  Circus  as  a 
feature  of  the  concerts;  they  played  Russia,  Austria,  England,  France,  Holland, 
Hungary  and  other  European  States.  In  Paris  the  brothers  played  eighteen 
weeks  at  the  Olympia.  Their  last  joint  engagement  was  with  Cohan  and  Harris' 
Minstrels,   1908-09. 

Larry  Freeze  was  a  dancer  of  more  than  ordinary  merit.  After  his  death, 
his  place  was  taken  by  his  brother  Frank,  whose  funny  antics  as  a  clown  have  won 
him  considerable  recognition. 

Larry  Freeze  was  born  in  Rockville,  Conn.,  October  29,  1872;  he  died  April 
6,  1909. 

Billy  Freeze  was  born  in  Rockville,  Conn.,  December  25,  1870. 

Julius  P.  Witm.\rk.  It  will  doubtless  be  news  to  many  of  this  gentleman's 
friends  to  know  that  his  career  began  as  minstrel  singer  just  twenty-seven  years 
ago,  when  as  the  "boy  soprano"  he  made  his  bow  before  a  New  York  audience 
with  Billy  Birch's  San  Francisco  Minstrels,  August  2y,  1883;  this  was  in  what 
was  until  recently  known  as  the  Princess  Theatre. 

A  brief  respite  after  this  engagement,  and  he  next  appeared  as  a  "Madrigal 
Boy"  in  Gus  Williams'  "One  of  the  Finest ;"  he  was  also  a  "Madrigal"  with 
Lawrence  Barrett's  "Francesca  di  Rimini"  and  M.  B.  Leavitt's  Minstrels. 

Going  to  the  Eden  Musee  in  New  York  City  after  this,  for  a  series  of  six 
children's  concerts,  on  Saturdays  only;  his  success  was  so  great,  that  the  en- 
gagement was  extended  for  eight  months. 

He  joined  Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West  in  the  Spring  of  1885,  and  the 
following  season  of  1885-86,  he  was  also  with  this  company. 

Mr.  Witmark  then  eschewed  theatricals  for  about  two  years,  when  his  voice, 
then  changed  into  a  baritone,  procured  him  a  position  with  Billy  Emerson's  Min- 
strels in  San  Francisco,  where  he  remained  si.x  months,  after  which  he  rejoined 
Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West  early  in  1889;  this  was  his  last  minstrel  engagement. 

Subsequently  he  met  with  much  success  in  such  famed  organizations  as  "A 
Pair  of  Jacks,"  "City  Directory"  and  "A  Trip  to  Chinatown" ;  he  was  also  very 
successful  in  the  brief  vaudeville  engagements  he  played. 

Julius  P.  Witmark  was  born  in  New  York  City,  September  19,  1870. 

Montgomery  and  Stone,  who  achieved  fame  as  the  Tin  Woodman  and  the 
Scarecrow  in  "The  Wizard  of  Oz"  as  well  as  "The  Red  M\\\"  respectively,  and 
subsequently  "The  Old  Town,"  made  their  first  joint  appearance  with  Haverly's 
Minstrels  at  New  Orleans,  February  16,  1895.  Later  they  did  a  great  song  and 
dance  act  for  several  seasons,  appearing  in  black-face' as  real  gallus  coons. 

About  ten  years  before  they  formed  a  partnership,  Mr.  Stone  played  Topsy 
in  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin" ;  he  was  the  best  Topsy  in  the  show. 

Dave  Montgomery  was  born  early  in  1870. 

Fred.  Stone  was  born  later.  \ 

Billy  B.  Van  (Wm.  Webster  Vandegrift),  the  famous  "Patsy"  comedian, 
was  a  member  of  the  "California  Minstrels"  (not  the  originals)  during  the  season 
of  1882-83. 

The  man  who  owned  the  show  also  owned  a  bird  and  fish  store  (live  birds 


FROM  "DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  343 

and  fish)  ;  well,  anyway,  the  "tour"  suddenly  closed  in  Mechanicville,  N.  Y. ;  Mr. 
Van  not  being  a  mechanic,  could  get  no  work  in  that  prosperous  little  town,  and 
sadly  wended  his  way  to  New  York,  where  the  "manager"  agreed  to  pay  Van  on 
his  arrival  in  the  metropolis ;  he  did.  Van's  "salary"  was  two  canaries,  ditto  gold- 
fish and  one  Belgian  Hare. 

Mr.  Van  had  plenty  of  hair  at  that  time,  so  one  more  made  little  difference 
to  him ;  being  Friday,  he  ate  the  fish,  and  presented  the  canaries  to  a  cat  who 
promised  to  take  good  care  of  them.    J\Ir.  Van  has  used  grease  paint  ever  since. 

Cl.vrence  M.\rks.  \\'hether  Mr.  Marks'  name  and  fame  will  be  handed  down 
to  posterity  as  a  vocalist  or  a  comedian,  time  alone  can  tell. 

His  first  professional  appearance  was  made  with  a  circus  in  1888. 

In  1897  he  joined  the  Irene  IMyers  Stock  Company,  where  for  about  six  years 
fie  appeared  in  varied  characters,  including  a  "stag"  after  the  show  one  night  in 
Wilkes-Barre,  Pa.,  in  September,  1903,  Dan  Hart  presiding. 

Mr.  Marks'  first  appearance  in  minstrelsy  was  with  the  Quinlan  and  Wall 
Company  in  1904;  subsequently  with  the  following  well-known  organizations — 
Culhane,  Chace  and  Weston's;  Primrose's;  Dockstader's ;  Murphy  and  Gibson's; 
Wm.  H.  West's  (Ricaby's),  and  Dumont's  in  Philadelphia. 

Season  of  1909-10  he  was  with  the  George  Evans'  Minstrels.  One  night 
the  "Honey  Boy"  came  back  on  the  stage  with  tears  in  his  eyes  (that  being  the 
regulation  place  to  have  them )  ;  "I'm  short  an  end  man,"  said  the  newly-made 
minstrel  magnate,  "who  will  volunteer?"  "I  will,"  said  little  Clarence;  and  he 
did,  and  for  the  balance  of  the  season  Mr.  Marks'  ponderous  bass  voice  told  every 
one  of  the  trials  and  tribulations  of  one  Casey  Jones.  And  so  our  story  ends. 
But  Mr.  Marks  is  still  a  "Honey  Boy." 

Clarence  Marks  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  December  12,  1871. 

Jas.  J.  CoRBETT,  pugilist,  actor  and  vaudevillian,  made  his  first  appearance 
in  black-face  as  a  member  of  George  Evans'  Minstrels  at  Plainfield,  N.  J.,  Au- 
gust  10,  1910.     Mr.  Corbett  as  interlocutor,  was  a  splendid  success. 

He  commenced  an  engagement  at  the  City  Theatre,  New  York,  August  13, 
1910,  and  says,  "he  will  come  back."    But  will  he? 

Geo.  W.  Chirgwin,  the  "White  Eyed  Kaffir,"  is  one  of  the  most  popular  of 
England's  black-face  performers. 

His  first  bid  for  fame  was  made  about  thirty  years  ago  singing  the  "Blind 
Boy." 

A  few  years  ago  Mr.  Chirgwin  played  an  engagement  in  the  United  States, 
where  he  made  many  friends. 

Bert  Swor,  of  the  Swor  Bros.,  made  his  first  appearance  with  Haverly's 
Minstrels  in  Chicago,  doing  a  song  and  dance  with  John  King.  This  was 
followed  by  ten  years  of  stock  work. 

Subsequently  he  played  engagements  with  Haverly's  (Nankeville)  also  Wm. 
H.  West's  (Ricaby )  Minstrels. 

Two  seasons  in  "The  Wizard  of  Oz"  and  a  return  to  vaudeville  in  a  black- 
face act,  depicting  Southern  scenes. 

Bert  Swor  was  born  in  Memphis,  Tenn.,  January  9,  1871. 


344  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY. 

FRANCIS  WILSON  AS  A  MINSTREL  MAGNATE. 

Kansas  City,  June  30,  'yy. 

Ed.  Clipper: 

Dear  Sir— We  left  Philadelphia  May  21  last,  for  a  Western  trip,  and  some- 
how we  wish  we  hadn't. 

We  left  the  main  road  at  Sedalia,  Mo.,  for  the  lead  mining  districts  of  Mis- 
souri, being  directed  thither  by  "parties  who  knew"  we  would  there  find  a  bo- 
nanza.   We  didn't. 

The  recent  heavy  rains  had  made  the  mines  unfit  to  be  worked,  and  the 
miners  were  very  poor.  Prospects,  notwithstanding  this,  were  very  good  at 
Galena  and  Empire  City,  and  to  them  we  turned  our  faces,  full  of  hope,  but  the 
sudden  "taking  off"  of  the  notorious  Tiger  Bill  by  a  "companion  in  arms"  on 
the  day  of  our  arrival,  was  a  topic  that  must  needs  be  discussed  in  the  open  air;» 
so  the  minstrels  did  not  thrive. 

We  are  a  most  harmonious  little  concern,  and  our  gentlemanly  deportment 
is,  everywhere  we  have  seen,  the  topic  of  conversation.  We  receive  daily  very 
flattering  and  eulogistic  notices  from  the  papers,  and  have  yet  to  see  one  dis- 
senting criticism.  We  are  perfectly  independent,  and  under  such  little  expense 
that  we  move  anywhere  with  a  very  moderate  income,  and  without  any  serious 
embarrassment.  It  is  a  great  source  of  comfort  to  us  to  know  that,  but  a  trifle 
over  a  month  old,  we  have  outlived  some  much  older  concerns.  We  had  no  diffi- 
culty in  obtaining  the  Clipper  even  in  Joplin  and  Short  Creek. 

Our  company  consists  of  Mackin  and  Wilson.  Chas.  Sutton,  "Bernardo," 
J.  H.  Stout,  Levino  Bros,  and  Prof.  Froude  and  orchestra. 

Respectfully  yours, 

F.  B.  W. 

Chas.  W.  Milton,  a  well-known  comedian  who  was  known  as  the  "Alans- 
field  of  Minstrelsy,"  died  in  Milledgeville,  Ga.,  November,  1909;  age  39  years. 

Barney  Gilmore,  Irish  comedian,  good  fellow  and  matinee  idol,  did  a  black- 
face turn  with  Billy  Kinsley  in  Philadelphia  in  1888.  Mr.  Gilmore  modestly 
admits  that  Schoolcraft  and  Coes  did  an  act  superior  to  Gilmore  and  Kinsley. 

"Stuart  (Everett  Stewart),  who  has  achieved  international  fame  as  the 
"Male  Patti,"  began  his  professional  career  as  a  singer  with  JMcIntyre  and 
Heath's  Minstrels  in  Springfield,  Mo.,  in  the  Fall  of  1887.  And  this  is  how  it 
happened — "Tom"  Heath  sauntered  into  the  Post-office  at  Wichtia,  Kan.,  one 
morning,  just  twenty-three  years  ago,  and  inquired  if  there  was  any  mail  for 
Mclntyre  and  Heath's  Minstrels?  Yes,  indeed,  there's  lots  of  letters  for  the 
minstrel  boys,  said  a  real  gentlemanly  voice  back  of  the  window.  The  deed  was 
done,  and  a  few  days  later,  Stuart  "blacked  up"  for  the  first  time  in  his  life. 

It  was  certainly  a  coincidence,  that  the  boy  who  had  daily  for  many  weeks 
answered  inquiries  concerning  missives  that  were  not  forthcoming,  should  sing, 
"The  Letter  That  Never  Came."  Mr.  Stuart  also  began  an  engagement  at  Emer- 
son's Minstrels  in  San  Francisco,  August  6,  1888.  And  thus  it  was  that  the 
mail  clerk  became  the  "Mail  Patti." 

And  that  is  the  story  of  "Stuart." 


346  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Geo.  Fuller  Golden,  the  famous  founder  of  the  White  Rats  of  America, 
and  one  of  the  most  intellectual  performers  that  ever  graced  the  vaudeville  stage, 
did  a  black-face  act  with  Billy  S.  Clifford  from  1888  to  1890. 

Edna  May  Spooner,  the  favorite  emotional  actress,  whose  popularity  seems 
to  know  no  bounds  (especially  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  Centreville,  Iowa),  played 
Topsy  in  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin"  more  than  once ;  but  if  you  want  a  date,  here  it  is 
— Bijou  Theatre,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  March  21,  1910.    And  how  she  did  play  it! 

Bert  Leslie,  the  slick  slangster  of  several  successful  seasons,  joined  the 
Kickapoo  Medicine  Company,  No.  8,  in  November,  1892,  doing  a  black-face 
specialty,  in  Tamaroa.  111.  Mr.  Leslie  attributes  his  present  good  health  to  the 
fact  that  he  never  took  any  of  the  medicine  he  was  surrounded  with;  he  says 
every  time  a  bottle  was  sold  it  always  made  him  "gag." 

Bert  Leslie  (Wm.  Albert  Johnston)  was  born  in  Dubuque,  Iowa,  May  6, 
1871. 

Walter  McMahon,  of  the  original  team  of  McMahon  and  King,  was  also 
associated  professionally  with  James  Snider. 

After  separating  from  Mr.  King  he- worked  with  his  wife,  under  the  team 
name  of  McMahon  and  Kingsley. 

He  died  in  Butte,  Mont.,  December  22,  1899;  ^S^  27  years. 

Arthur  Leopold  Guy  is  the  junior  member  of  the  famous  Guy  family. 

He  made  his  first  appearance  with  his  relatives  in  Cohoes,  N.  Y.,  in  1876, 
at  the  immature  age  of  four  years. 

Young  Mr.  Guy  was  always  ambitious,  and  seventeen  years  later  was  quali- 
fied to  vote.  His  debut  was  made  in  white-face,  as  a  singer;  subsequently  de- 
veloping into  a  comedian  of  unusual  ability. 

Mr.  Guy  early  showed  executive  talents,  and  it  was  no  surprise  to  his  friends 
when  on  February  22,  1909,  he  organized  and  produced  what  he  claims  to  be  the 
originator  of — giving  a  complete  minstrel  performance  in  vaudeville. 

Six  years  previous  to  this,  however,  he  organized  Arthur  L.  Guy's  Novelty 
Minstrels. 

Arthur  Leopold  Guy  was  born  in  New  York  City,  January  26,  1872. 

Manuel  Roxiain  is  the  happy  possessor  of  one  of  the  most  pleasing  tenor 
voices  in  minstrelsy,  and  has  the  faculty  of  using  it  to  the  very  best  advantage. 

In  1893  he  made  his  bow  toa  minstrel  audience  in  New  York,  with  Prim- 
rose and  West's  Company.  In  1895  he  was  with  Cleveland's  Minstrels,  subse- 
quently playing  extended  engagements  with  Primrose  and  Dockstader's,  and 
later  Dockstader's  Minstrels. 

In  1907  Mr.  Romain  entered  the  vaudeville  field  with  an  elaborate  produc- 
tion entitled  "Down  in  Music  Row,"  and  met  with  flattering  success.  Two  years 
later  he  produced  "Before  and  After  the  Ball,"  which,  if  possible,  achieved  even 
greater  success  than  its  predecessor. 

Manuel  Romain  was  born  in  Cambridge,  Mass.,  October  i,  1872. 

Will  F.  Phillips,  whose  clever  portrayal  of  light  comedy  roles  in  "Ha- 
vana," the  "Top  O'  the  World"  and  other  Broadway  successes,  the  past  few  years 


FROM  "DADDY-  RICE  TO  DATE.  347 

ha<;  brought  him  such  deserved  success,  was  a  member  of  a  stingy  troupe  with 
the-  explanatory  title  of  the  "American  Minstrels,"  in  1887. 

The  company  was  sans  band,  sans  five  dollars  collectively  and  sans  nearly 
everything  that  could  be  sansed.  They  arrived  in  Haverhill,  Mass.,  the  same  day 
as  the  Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West's  Company,  and  when  the  latter  made  their 
noonday  parade,  the  "American  Minstrels"  acted  as  trailers.  Strange  to  relate, 
the  T.  P.  &  W.  show  did  the  business  on  that  memorable,  never-to-be-forgotten 
evening. 

Will  F.  Phillips  was  born  in  Albany,  N.  Y.,  October  31,  1873. 

Eddie  M.vzier  is  one  of  the  cleverest  of  the  latter-day  minstrel  comedians; 
for  a  performer  who  can  sing  and  dance  equally  well,  and  tell  a  story  in  such  a 
way  as  to  bring  out  its  best  points,  is  certainly  clever ;  and  such  is  Eddie  Mazier. 

His  first  appearance  was  as  one  of  the  team  of  Cain  and  Mazier,  at  Youngs- 
town,  Ohio,  doing  a  black-face  song  and  dance:  the  alliance  lasted  two  years. 

Other  partnerships  were — one  year  as  Morgan  and  JMazier;  \\Tight  and 
Mazier,  three  years,  and  Mazier  and  Conley,  three  years. 

Mr.  Mazier  was  with  Haverly's  (Nankeville's )  Minstrels,  four  years;  two 
seasons  with  Primrose's  Minstrels,  and  with  Lew  Dockstader's  Minstrels  1908- 
'09-' ID-' I  I. 

Eddie  Mazier  was  born  at  Niles,  Ohio,  March  14,  1873. 

Harry  C.  Shunk  began  his  professional  career  with  a  repertoire  company 
in  1887.  He  had  to  begin  it  sometime;  and  as  87  rhymed  with  Pleaven  and  7-n, 
there  was  no  trouble  in  reaching  a  decifion. 

In  1890  he  joined  Beach  and  Rowers'  Minstrels;  then  came  Sweeny,  Al- 
viedo  and  Goetz's  Minstrels.  Mr.  Shunk  was  now  thoroughly  seasoned,  and 
became  a  member  of  Al.  G.  Field's  Minstrels,  with  whom  he  remained  eight 
years. 

Subsequently  he  was  a  season  with  Carncross's  I\Iinstrels  in  Philadelphia, 
and  off  and  on  for  seven  seasons  with  Dumont's  Minstrels;  same  theatre;  same 
city. 

Mr.  Shunk  played  the  black-face  comedy  part  in  "Hip,  Hip,  Hooray"  a  few 
years  ago.  We  hope  it  won't  be  such  a  long  time  before  we  see  him  again  in 
something  similar. 

Harry  C.  Shunk  was  born  in  Cardington,  Ohio,  October  25,  1872. 

Ch.\s.  D.  Wilson  began  his  professional  career  in  an  humble  capacity  in 
his  native  city,  where  later  he  joined  Primrose  and  West's  Minstrels  as  drummer 
in  the  band  and  orchestra. 

Mr.  Wilson  quickly  displayed  talents  that  gained  for  him  promotion ;  and 
later  he  was  made  treasurer  of  the  company.  Subsequently  he  cast  his  fortunes 
with  Lew  Dockstader's  Minstrels,  and  became  manager  of  that  company  a  few 
years  ago  ;  he  continued  under  the  Dockstader  banner  several  seasons. 

Mr.  Wilson  is  at  present  engaged  in  an  executive  capacity  with  William  A. 
Brady. 

Chas.  D.  Wilson  was  born  in  Seattle,  Wash.,  June  10,  1872. 

Augustus  Phillips,  a  black- faced  comedian?  Well,  not  exactly  a  comedian, 
but  honestly,  it  did  seem  funny  to  see  this  handsome  leading  man  of  the  Spooner 


348  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY,       ' 

Stock  Company  at  the  Bijou  Theatre,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  week  of  April  9,  1906,  play 
Uncle  Tom,  in  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin."  But  then  he  played  Othello  about  the  same 
time;  and  that  was  even  funnier. 

Tom  Waters  was  known  as  a  Boy  Prodigy  several  years  before  he  achieved 
the  popularity  as  a  comedy  pianist  that  later  came  to  him. 

But  his  minstrel  career,  which  is  of  primary  importance  to  readers  of  this 
volume,  began  in  1892  as  comedian  and  tambourine  end  with  Charley  Dock- 
stader's  Minstrels. 

After  some  vaudeville  playing,  he  joined  Dumont's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia 
about  1899,  and  remained  there  three  seasons,  part  of  which  time  he  did  an  act 
with  Bill  Barlow. 

Mr.  Waters  is  meeting  with  success  in  vaudeville  with  his  specialty. 

Tom  Waters  was  born  in  Shenandoah,  Pa.,  January  10,  1873;  and  Shenan- 
doah is  proud  of  it. 

The  De  Rue  Bros.— Billy  De  Rue  (Willis  De  Rue  Eldridge)  and  Bobby  De 
Rue  (Robert  De  Due  Eldridge),  come  honestly  by  the  varied  talents  they  possess, 
for  both  of  their  parents  were  well  known  and  capable  musicians  some  years  prior 
to  the  event  of  their  interesting  offspring. 

In  1883  the  boys,  in  conjunction  with  their  father  and  mother  formed  the 
4  Brass  Monarchs  4,  traveling  under  this  title  for  four  years.  In  1887 
their  father,  Prof.  R.  D.  Eldridge,  organized  the  Eldridge  Comedians  and  Con- 
cert Company,  consisting  of  a  first-part  and  variety;  both  Bobby  and  Billy  made 
their  debut  as  black-face  performers  here,  each  doing  an  end. 

In  1893  the  family  separated;  the  boys  at  this  time  taking  the  name  of 
De  Rue,  by  which  they  have  since  become  so  prominently  identified.  They  sub- 
sequently appeared  with  such  well-known  minstrel  organizations  as  Cleveland's ; 
J.  H.  Haverly ;  Hi.  Henry ;  Gorton's ;  Culhane,  Chace  and  Weston's ;  Hi  Tom 
Ward  and  the  Fulton  Bros. ;  Ted  E.  Faust's,  and  Washburn's  Big  Double  Min- 
strels.   They  likewise  appeared  successfully  in  vaudeville. 

July  15,  1904,  De  Rue  Eros.  Ideal  Minstrels  were  launched,  each  successive 
year  bringing  them  new  friends  and  laurels. 

Billy  De  Rue  was  born  March  6,  1873,  at  Conajoharie,  N.  Y. 

Bobby  De  Rue  was  born  at  Little  Falls,  N.  Y.,  May  21,  1877. 

Doc.  QuiGLEY  (Dockery  Ouigley)  enjoys  the  unique  distinction  of  having 
spent  his  entire  professional  career  in  one  minstrel  company. 

Mr.  Quigley  joined  Al.  G.  Field's  Minstrels  at  the  age  of  sixteen  as  a  song 
and  dance  performer.  Since  then  he  has  been  stage  manager,  comedian,  pro- 
ducer and  manager ;  and  equally  successful  in  each  capacity ;  but  Mr.  Ouigley's 
grotesque  dancing  is  a  feature  that  one  remembers  for  a  long  time. 

Doc.  Ouigley  was  born  in  Columbus,  Ohio,  July  17,  1873. 

Frederick  V.  Bowsers.  The  success  of  this  young  man  lies  in  the  fact  that 
he  is  an  actor  that  can  act,  a  singer  that  can  sing,  and  a  dancer  that  can  dance ; 
truly  a  rare  trinity  of  theatrical  virtues. 

Mr.  Bowers  sang  in  the  Grace  Episcopal  Choir  in  Boston,  before  starting 
out  on  his  professional  career,  which  began  at  Keith's  Old  Theatre  (Bijou ^  in 
his  native  citv  in  1888. 


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350  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

Subsequently  he  was  with  PauHne  Hall  in  "Puritana,"  "Niobc,"  "Prodigal 
Father,"  and  other  first-class  companies. 

In  1893  li^  joined  Charles  Horwitz,  and  as  Horwitz  and  Bowers,  for  five 
years  played  the  cream  of  the  vaudeville  houses,  singing  their  own  compositions, 
of  which  Mr.  Bowers  wrote  the  music ;  among  the  best  known  were  "Always," 
"Wait,"  "Because,"  and  "When  I  Think  of  You." 

Mr.  Bowers'  first  minstrel  engagement  was  with  the  Cleveland  Company, 
others  were  Frank  Cushman's,  Dockstader's  in  1903,  and  Wm.  H.  West's  (Ric- 
aby's)  in  1905. 

He  was  subsequently  two  seasons  with  Mclntyre  and  Heath,  in  the  "Ham 
Tree,"  followed  by  as  many  seasons  in  vaudeville  in  his  offering  "College  Days  " 

As  a  reader  of  a  song  Mr.  Bowers  has  no  superior  in  present-day  theatricals. 

Frederick  V.  Bowers  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  June  11,  1874. 

Pete  Detzel  hails  from  the  home  town  of  such  celebrities  as  Johnny  Jen- 
nings, Mark.  Sullivan  and  Clarence  Burton,  naturally  he  must  be  good. 

His  first  professional  appearance  was  with  Hi.  Henry's  Minstrels  in  1895, 
doing  an  end  and  acting  as  drum  major ;  Billy  Van's  Minstrels  was  next,  after 
which  Mr.  Detzel  says  he  "laid  away"  for  a  few  months.  But  one  can't  lay  away 
much  while  idle,  so  he  played  two  seasons  with  the  Ted  Faust's  Minstrels,  and  an 
equal  length  of  time  with  Vogel's  Minstrels. 

The  best  part  of  the  past  three  years  have  been  spent  with  Dockstader's 
Minstrels.     Mr.  Detzel  is  now  a  vaudevillian  with  Billy  Cawley. 

Pete  Detzel  was  born  in  Erie,  Pa.,  November  25,  1875. 

Bert  Williams.  This  truly  great  colored  performer  made  his  first  appear- 
ance with  Lew  Johnson's  Minstrels  twenty  odd  years  ago ;  the  remuneratinn  was 
$12.00  per  week  and  "cakes"  with  an  occasional  chunk  of  pie.  His  next  minstrel 
engagement  was  with  Martin  and  Selick's  Mastodons — salary  no  object. 

Mr.  Williams  decided  on  having  a  partner  after  this,  and  while  in  San  Fran- 
cisco met  George  Walker ;  the  rest  is  fairly  well  known. 

Mr.  Williams  starred  successfully  in  "Sons  of  Ham,"  "Bandanna  Land" 
and  "Mr.  Lode,  of  Koal."    The  partnership  terminated  about  1909. 

Mr.  Williams  subsequently  has  played  vaudeville,  where  he  has  been  one 
of  the  most  pronounced  hits  of  years.  Always  working  with  corked  features, 
he  sings  a  song  in  a  way  that  you  always  remember,  especially  is  this  true  of 
"Nobody,"  which  will  always  be  associated  with  his  name. 

Mr.  Williams  is  a  truly  unctuous  comedian,  and  worthy  and  deserving  of  the 
distinction  of  having  received  by  far  the  highest  salary  ever  paid  to  any  per- 
former of  his  race. 

In  New  York  in  the  Summer  of  1910,  he  was  highly  successful  in  the  "Fol- 
lies of  1910." 

Bert  Williams  was  born  on  the  Island  of  Nassau,  British  West  Indies,  No- 
vember 12,  1874. 

The  Bowman  Bros,  are  frequently  spoken  of  as  the  "brilliant  brothers  Bow- 
man," and  justly,  too,  for  no  duo  of  vaudeville  performers  to-day  givo  greater 
promise  than  these  two  boys,  whose  versatility  is  a  matter  of  much  comment 
among  artists  of  more  lengthy  experience. 

They  have  appeared  in  burlesque,  drama,  farce  and  minstrelsy,  and  in  each 
have  scored  unqualified  successes. 


WM.  T.— BOWMAN  BROS.— JAS.  M. 


FROM  ■■  DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  351 

Their  first  joint  appearance  was  in  a  black-face  specialty  at  West  Point,  Ky., 
in  1896;  they  then  separated  and  played  various  individual  engagements  until 
1902,  when  they  joined  the  "Sandy  Bottom"  Company ;  with  this  troupe  "Bill"' 
Bowman  did  a  minister,  and  "Jim"  Bowman  did  a  rube,  which  was  not  the  right 
thing  to  do  exactly ;  there  is  some  excuse  for  "doing"  a  rube ;  but  a  minister — 
never. 

That  same  year  they  joined  the  stock  at  the  Orpheum  Theatre  in  Chicago, 
and  in  1903  were  with  Miss  Grace  George  in  "Pretty  Peggy." 

Subsequently  they  did  a  black-face  act  with  that  "youth"  Jack  Sheehan ;  he 
of  the  "Four  Planets,'"  likewise  of  the  "Four-in-Hand." 

Other  legitimate  engagements  were  the  "Runaways,"  and  their  own  produc- 
tion of  the  "Isle  of    Mirth." 

The  seasons  of  1907-08-09  were  spent  with  Bob  Manchester's  "Cracker  Jacks" 
Company,  where  they  resumed  playing  in  black-face,  and  in  which  they  still 
continue. 

July  31,  1909,  they  made  their  first  appearance  jointly  with  a  minstrel  com- 
pany, when  they  opened  at  Union  Hill,  N.  J.,  with  Eddie  Leonard's  Minstrels; 
Wm.  Bowman  playing  on  one  end,  and  James  Bowman  officiating  as  interlocutor ; 
and  seldom  in  latter-day  minstrelsy  have  these  positions  been  more  ably  filled. 

James  Bowman  played  individual  engagements  with  Harry  Ward's  Min- 
strels in  1900-01  ;  with  Robert  Loraine  in  "The  Tragedy  at  Trenton"  in  1904  and 
\Vm.  A.  Brady's  "Siberia"  in  New  York  in  1905. 

Wm.  T.  Bowman  played  individual  engagements  with  Wm.  A.  Brady's 
all-star  cast  of  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin"  in  New  York  in  1904,  and  that  same  year 
appeared  with  Wm.  Morris  in  the  "Business  Man,"  and  Joe  Welch  in  "Cohen's 
Luck." 

Wm.  T.  Bowman  was  born  in  Munfordville,  Ky.,  February  4,  1875. 

Jas.  M.  Bowman  was  born  in  Munfordville,  Ky..  April  17,  1878. 

Mrs.  Arthur  L.  Guy  is  the  wife  of — .Arthur  L.  Guy,  naturally.  For  the 
past  seven  years  she  has  enjoyed  the  unique  distinction  of  being  the  manager  of 
the  Arthur  L.  Guy  Novelty  Minstrels,  where  she  has  displayed  executive  ability 
of  pronounced  order. 

B.^iLEY  .A.ND  Austin  need  no  introduction  to  theatre  lovers  of  the  lighter 
forms  of  amusement,  for  most  of  us  have  seen  these  brilliant  young  artists  in 
the  "Top  o'  the  World,"  and  "Two  Men  and  a  Girl." 

But  as  "corked  comedians" — that's  different. 

Bailey  and  Madison  did  an  acrobatic  black-face  song  and  dance  about  six- 
teen years  ago ;  and  Ralph  Austin  did  a  tip-top  end  with  Al.  G.  Field's  Min- 
strels about  the  same  time;  he  was  also  of  the  black-face  song  and  dance  team 
of  Austin  and  Curran. 

Mr.  Bailey  deserves  no  credit  for  once  having  been  a  good  black-face  per- 
former, for  his  mother  (Polly  Higginson)  was  a  prominent  dancer  with  the  old 
"Black  Crook"   (near  joke). 

Mr.  Bailey  was  born  in  New  York,  November  5.  1873. 

Mr.  Austin  was  born  in  Dayton,  Ohio,  about  1877. 

Eddie  Leonard  (Lemuel  J.  Tuney)  says  he  entered  his  teens  and  Haverly's 
Minstrels  about  the  same  year. 


352  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

With  the  minstrels  he  selected  as  his  favorite,  wholesome  Billy  Rice,  of 
whom  he  was  very  fond. 

j\lr.  Leonard  says  he  used  to  buy  the  New  York  Clipper  each  week,  and  on 
these  occasions  he  was  immediately  besieged  by  members  of  the  company  for 
'■just  one  look" — which  no  one  but  Billy  Rice  ever  got. 

Mr.  Leonard  subsequently  was  with  Thatcher,  Primrose  and  West's  Min- 
strels ;  Primrose  and  Dockstader's ;  Haverly's  ( Xankeville's )  ;  Primrose's,  Dock- 
stader's  Minstrels,  and  in  190S  was  one  of  the  features  of  Cohan  and  Harris' 
Minstrels. 

A  few  seasons  ago  during  the  Summer  months  he  appeared  in  New  York  on 
the  New  Amsterdam  Roof  in  white- face  as  Texas  Dan ;  subsequently  as  Dandy 
Dan  on  another  roof ;  he  scored  a  success  on  each  roof  with  each  "Dan." 

Mr.  Leonard's  prominence  is  due  to  the  fact  that  he  sings  a  song  different 
from  any  other  living  performer ;  a  sort  of  a  crooning  lullaby,  that  goes  direct  to 
the  hearts  of  his  audience;  and  the  ladies  say  he  dances  divinely. 

Certain  it  is  that  this  undoubtedly  clever  artist  possesses  that  mysterious, 
indefinable  attribute  what  we  call  magnetism,  and  possesses  it  to  a  large  degree. 

Late  in  July,  1909,  he  headed  Eddie  Leonard's  Minstrels ;  also  early  in 
August — same  year. 

Mr.  Leonard,  also  in  1909.  headed  for  the  matrimonial  altar ;  Miss  Mabel 
Russell,  daughter  of  the  late  W.  J.  Russell,  of  the  old  team  of  Le  Clair  and 
Russell,  was  his  happy  choice. 

Eddie  Leonard  was  born  in  Richmond,  Xz.,  October  18,  1875. 

Frank  Morrell,  the  "California  Boy,"  made  his  farst  appearance  as  a  boy 
soprano  with  Cleveland's  ]\Iinstrels  in  1890  at  Los  Angeles,  Cal. ;  this  was  fol- 
lowed by  an  engagement  with  Sells  Bros.  Circus,  with  whom  he  went  to  Aus- 
tralia. 

Returning  •to  his  native  heath  he  next  appeared  at  the  Bella  Union  Thea'tre 
in  San  Francisco,  subsequently  playing  an  engagemet  with  Haverly's  Minstrels 
in  the  same  municipality ;  the  latter  being  the  high-brow  term  for  the  word  city. 

Later,  Mr.  Morrell  appeared  with  success  with  several  burlesque  and  farcical 
attractions,  and  at  various  times  was  of  the  vaudeville  teams  of  IMorrell  and 
Evans,  and  Morrell  and  Deely. 

After  a  five-year  tour  of  England  and  Africa,  he  returned  to  the  United 
States,  and  in  1906  formed  one  of  the  original  members  of  "That  Quartette," 
and  continued  with  them  until  1908,  when,  Cohan  and  Harris  seeking  for  the 
best  vocal  talent  obtainable,  cabled  to  Mr.  Morrell,  who  was  in  England,  an 
offer  that  he  just  simply  couldn't  refuse.  His  success  with  this  organization  is  a 
matter  of  theatrical  history. 

In  1909  this  clever  young  man  made  one  of  the  most  astonishing  moves 
ever  recorded;  it  was  no  more  nor  no  less  than  making  the  jump  from  ballad 
singer  to  singing  comedian,  doing  a  black-face  monologue  that  has  given  him 
already  an  eminent  position  in  his  new  field  of  endeavor. 

Frank  Morrell  was  born  in  San  Diego,  Cal.,  October  10,  1875. 

D.\NA  H.  CL.A.UDit'S,  the  well-known  young  banjoist,  is  now  of  the  team  of 
Claudius  and  Scarlet,  but  it  Avas  not  always  thus,  for  away  back  in  the  days 
of  1900,  and  until  the  month  of  February,  1902.  Claudius  and  one  Edmond 
Gilmore  Corbin  were  members  of  the  Primrose  and  Dockstader's  Minstrels, 


^ 


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CHARLEY  iOX 


CHARLEY  PETTENGILL 


CHARLEY  SUTTON 


CHARLEY  HOWARD 


CHARLEY  REYNOLDS 


CHARLEY  REED 


THEY  WERE  THE  "CHEERFUL  CHARLEYS"  OF  MINSTRELSY. 


354  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

doing  their  classic  act  in  black-face ;  after  the  last  named  date  they  worked 
in  white-face.     See  James  H.  Decker  for  particulars. 

Dana  H.  Claudius  was  born  in  Canandaigua,  N.  Y.,  June  i,  1875;  and 
has  been  "hopping"  ever  since. 

"Minstrel"  Billy  Clark  (Wm.  E.  Clark)  began  his  professional  career 
in  a  theatre,  and  has  been  around  theatres  ever  since ;  and  this  is  how  it 
happened. 

He  entered  his  thirteenth  year  and  the  Powers'  Opera  House  in  his  home 
city  at  the  same  time,  at  the  latter  place  he  was  usher ;  he  ushered  so  well  that 
he  was  promoted — he  became  scenic  artist  at  the  Grand — in  Grand  Rapids ; 
this  is  not  a  joke. 

At  eighteen  he  made  his  first  appearance  in  black-face  with  a  local  min- 
strel show ;  subsequently  he  played  character  parts,  and  did  a  monologue  in 
white-face. 

His  first  minstrel  show  was  the  Crawford  Bros. ;  in  1895  he  joined  the 
Hi  Henry  Minstrels  and  continued  with  them  for  five  years ;  then  came  Billy 
Clark's  Minstrels,  followed  by  the  season  of  1902-03  with  Wm.  H.  West's 
(Ricaby's)   Minstrels. 

In' 1903  he  made  his  initial  bow  with  Al.  G.  Field's  Minstrels,  remaining 
until  1905,  when  he  became  a  vaudevillian  for  two  years;  he  rejoined  Field's 
in  1907  and  remained  two  years. 

"Minstrel"  Billy  Clark  was  born  in  Grand  Rapids,  Mich.,  March  15,  1875. 

Trixie  Friganza,  the  popular  youilg  comedienne,  celebrated  the  author's 
birthday  August  24,  1908,  by  blacking  up  and  doing  an  end  with  Cohan  and 
Harris'  Minstrels  at  the  New  York  Theatre  in  New  York  City ;  she  sang  "Fm 
Glad  I'm  Married" — mind  you,  she  only  sang  it. 

Beverly  Sitgre.wes  showed  her  versatility  at  the  New  Theatre,  New  York, 
just  previous  to  the  new  year  in  a  new  character  which  everyone  knew  would 
be  a  clever  portrayal ;  and  it  was. 

She  played  the  negro  "mammy"  in  "The  Nigger,"  December  6,  1909. 

Harry  A.  Ellis  (Ralph  A.  Grande),  who  was  one  of  the  singing  duo  of 
Ellis  and  Mclvenna,  also  a  member  of  "The  Quartette,"  made  his  first  pro- 
fessional appearance  at  Rahway,  N.  J.,  March  12,  1900,  with  the  Heywood 
Comedy  Company,  in  the  play  of  "Mamma's  Pet."  It  is  the  author's  impres- 
sion that  Mr.  Ellis  played  the  title  role.  "Mamma's  Pet"  never  had  a  met- 
ropolitan run ;  in  fact,  no  run  at  all — but  let  bygones  be  bygones. 

April  28,  same  year,  he  joined  Primrose  and  Dockstader's  Minstrels  at 
their  inaugural  performance  under  canvas ;  this  was  at  Newport  News,  Va., 
and  Mr.  Ellis  sang  "The  Blue  and  the  Gray,"  and  what's  better  sang  it  so 
good  that  he  was  engaged  for  the  regular  season  of  the  company  a  few 
months  later,  being  the  only  vocalist  of  the  "tenters"  so  honored.  The  tent 
season  lasted  abotit  seven  weeks. 

He  continued  with  Primrose  and  Dockstader's  until  the  dissolution  of 
that  company  in  1903 ;  the  same  year  he  became  a  member  of  Lew  Dock- 
stader's   Minstrels,    and    remained    four   years.      Eight    years    of    minstrelsy 


FROM  ■■DADDY"  RICE  TO  DATE.  355 

in   black-face.     Mr.   Ellis  has  a  robust  tenor  voice  of  high   quality.     He  is 
again  with  Lew  Dockstader's  Minstrels,  1910. 

Harry  A.  Ellis  was  born  at  Potenza,  Italy,  February  20,  1876. 

Herm.\n  Marion  (Etzer)  joined  Billy  Pearl,  doing  a  black-face  act  in 
Lowell-,  Mass.,  in  April,  1899;  and  subsequently  appeared  with  La  Pearl's 
Circus;  Vogel  and  Deming's  Minstrels;  Primrose  and  Dockstader's;  Gus. 
Sun's;  Haverly's  (Nankeville's),  and  Washburn's  Minstrels. 

Pie  continued  with  Pearl  until  the  latter's  death  ;  subsequently  joining 
Geo.  Cunningham,  one  of  the  original  "Brutal  Brothers,"  and  as  Cunningham 
and  Marion  have  met  with  success  in  a  white-face  acrobatic  act. 

Herman  Marion  was  born  in  Paterson,  N.  J.,  December  17,  1876. 

Cecil  Spooner. — This  dainty,  effervescent  and  charming  bit  of  femininity, 
who  has  won  enviable  honors  as  America's  leading  soubrette,  and  whose 
popularity  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  and  other  places,  including  Centreville,  Iowa, 
seems  to  know  no  bounds,  gave  a  delightful  performance  of  Topsy  in  "Uncle 
Tom's  Cabin,"  at  the  Bijou  Theatre,  Brooklyn,  X.  Y.,  commencing  April  9, 
1906. 

JiMMv  Devlin  entered  the  minstrel  profession  as  a  boy,  and  few  were 
better  esteemed. 

He  was  a  clever  dancer,  but  was  best  known  for  his  baton  swinging. 

\\'e  worked  with  Johnny  Whalen  for  a  time,  and  subsequently  with 
Doc.  Ouigley. 

He  was  associated  with  Primrose  and  West's ;  Al.  G.  Field's  and  Wm. 
H.  West's  Minstrels. 

Jimmy  Devlin  died  at  Pitttsfield,  Mass.,  July  31,  1901  ;  age  24  years. 

E.MiL  SuBERS,  the  "Georgia  Sunflower,"  whose  rich  Southern  dialect  has 
delighted  thousands,  began  life  as  a  ballad  singer  in  an  amateur  minstrel 
show  in  Macon,  Ga.,  in  1897,  after  which  for  three  seasons  he  was  a  member 
of  the  well-known  repertoire  company  of  Peruchini-Beldini. 

A  couple  of  weeks  with  Harry  Ward's  Minstrels  in  1900,  and 'then  he 
joined  Al.  G.  Field's  Company  same  year.  In  1902  he  became  a  member  of 
Quinlan  and  Wall's  Minstrels,  remaining  two  seasons. 

On  Christmas  Day,  1904,  he  joined  Geo.  Primrose's  Minstrels  in  Spring- 
field, Mass.,  and  continued  with  them  until  1907.  \ 

Mr.  Subers  subsequently  entered  vaudeville,  and  in   1909  formed  an  al-  '. 
liance  with   those  clever  black-face  entertainers,   Coakley  and   McBride. 

Emil  Subers  was  born  in  Sparta,  Ga.,  January  7,  1877. 

Artie  H.\ll,  in  private  life  Mrs.  Robert  Fulgora,  gives  one  of  the  most 
faithful  portrayals  of  the  Tennessee  and  Georgia  negro  ever  seen  on  the 
vaudeville  stage.  Commencing  March  18,  1901,  Miss  Flail  gave  a  series  of 
splendid  performances  of  Topsy  in  "Uncle  Tom's  Cabin"  at  the  Academy  of 
Music  in  New  York  City. 


■^      J.'^MES  GoRM.AN,  one  of  the  most  prolific  producers  in  the  annals  of  min- 
strelsy, was  the  first  to  wri*--  a  burlesque  on  the  "Mikado"  when  that  opera 


356  M  ON  ARCH  S  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

had  such  a  vogue  here  many  years  ago.  Mr.  Gorman  showed  it  with  Hav- 
erly's  Minstrels  in  San  Francisco  in  18S5.  "The  Princess  of  Madagascar," 
one  of  the  most  pretentious  offerings  ever  shown  with  a  black-face  organiza- 
tion, also  emanated  from  the  fertile  brain  of  Mr.  Gorman;  and  there  were  others. 


Joseph  Gortox.  Jr.,  was  the  son  of  the  prominent  manager  of  that  name, 
and  a  musician  and  composer  of  extraordinary  ability ;  no  less  than  three 
operas,  as  well  as  several  songs,  have  come  from  his  prolific  pen. 

He  had  been  several  years  with  Gorton's  Minstrels,  and  for  about  ten 
seasons  he  did  a  musical  act  with  Sam  Lee,  as  Gorton  and  Lee. 

Jos.  Gorton,  Jr.,  was  born  in  Friendship,  N.  Y.,  May  30,  1877;  he  died 
there  December  10,  1908. 

H.\RRY  W.  Smith,  the  pleasing  young  bass  vocalist  and  interlocutor,  has  a 
brief,  but  none  the  less  meritorious  professional  career. 

It  began  in  1904,  doing  concert  work ;  subsequently  he  was  with  Rich- 
ard Carle's  and  other  musical  extravaganzas.  July  31,  1909,  he  became  a 
member  of  Eddie  Leonard's  Minstrels  at  their  initial  performance  in  Union 
Hill,  N.  J.  In  the  Summer  of  1910  Mr.  Smith  and  Fred  P.  Russell  launched 
Russell  and  Smith's  Tabloid  Minstrels  on  the  vaudeville  sea,  Mr.  Smith  act- 
ing as  interlocutor,  the  duties  of  which  he  performs  admirably. 

Harry  W.  Smith  was  born  in  Albia,  la.,  November  3,  1878. 

Geo.  M.  Cohan.  It  will  not  surprise  many  to  know  that  this  famous  young 
author-actor-manager-producer,  etc.,  ever  appeared  in  black-face ;  the  year 
is  said  to  be  1891,  when  he  played  Banty  Bob  in  his  father's  production  of 
"The  Molly  Maguires" ;  nor  must  it  be  overlooked  that  he  was  co-proprietor 
and  part  producer  of  Cohan  and  Harris'  Minstrels,  the  first  performance  of 
which  was  at  the  Apollo  Theatre,  Atlantic  City,  N.  J.,  July  27,  1908. 

George  M.  Cohan  was  born  in  Providence,  R.  I.,  July  4,  1878. 

Stanley  Forde,  whose  ponderous' bass  voice  has  been  heard  to  such  excel- 
lent advantage  in  the  "Geisha";  the  "Talk  of  New  York";  "The  Man  Who 
Owns  Broadway,"  and  other  popular  successes,  joined  Primrose  and  Dock- 
stader's  ]\Iinstrels  at  the  Victoria  Theatre,  New  York  City,  about  March  i, 
1902;  singing  a  ballad  in  black-face.  He  finished  the  season  with  that  or- 
ganization, and  the  following  one  he  toured  with  George  Primrose's  Min- 
strels.    Then  Mr.  Forde  said,  "Never  Again" ;  but  that's  what  they  all  say. 

Mr.  Forde  was  born  at  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  February  9,  1878. 

Frank  Leighton  began  his  career  as  a  black-face  performer  with  a  medi- 
cine show,  June  i,  1897,  at  London,  O. ;  joined  Burt  Sheppard's  Minstrels 
March  i,  1898,  remaining  until  company  disbanded  at  A\'aterloo,  Wis.,  April 
ID,  same  year.  With  this  company  he  formed  a  partntrship  with  Ed.  Elliott, 
doing  a  talking  and  dancing  act ;  the  partnership  was  dissolved  January  15, 
1899 ;  Mr.  Leighton  shortly  after  became  a  member  of  the  Vogel  and  Dem- 
ing  Minstrels,  joining  his  brother  Bert,  with  whom  he  has  since  been  asso- 
ciated. 

Frank  Leighton  was  born  April  14,  1880,  near  Cowden,  111. 


LUKE   SCHOOLCRAFT  GEO.   H.  GOES 

(SCHOOLCRAFT  &  COES.) 


JAS.   M.   TIERNEY  TIM.    CRONIN 

(TIERNEY  &  CRONIN.) 


f 

A 

^ 

jifl 

HARRY  HOGAN  GUb.    HOGAN 

(HOGAN  BROS.) 


358  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 


Bert  Leigiiton  joined  Barlow  Bros.  Minstrels  (Ward,  Coburn  and  Bald- 
win, owners),  August  21,  1899,  doing  a  black-face  singing  and  dancing  act' 
with  Walter  Wilson,  closing  June  2,  1900.  Leighton  and  Wilson  opened 
with  Vogel  and  Deming's  Minstrels,  August  27,  1900;  this  partnership  was 
dissolved  later  in  the  season  owing  to  the  ill  health  of  Mr.  Wilson.  Mr.  Leighton 
was  joined  by  his  brother  Frank  at  Poughkeepsie,  N.  Y.,  December  8,  1900. 

Bert  Leighton  was  born  in  Altamont,  111.,  December  29,   1878. 

Leighton  and  Leightgn's  first  appearance  as  a  team  was  at  Poughkeepsie, 
N.  Y.,  December  8,  1900,  remaining  the  season.  Other  engagements  were  Vogel's 
Minstrels;  Pan-American  Minstrels.  September  15,  1902,  they  made  their  first 
appearance  in  white-face  at  the  Howard  in  Boston.  April,  1903,  they  joined 
Quinlan  and  Wall's  Minstrels.  Considerable  time  was  given  to  vaudeville  before 
they  made  their  appearance  with  Lew  Dockstader's  Minstrels,  July  23,  1904, 
ending  May  8,  1905.  July  14,  1905,  they  began  their  second  season  with 
this  company,  terminating  their  engagement  November  17,  same  year,  since 
which  time  they  have  been  playing  the  best  houses  in  vaudeville  ;  their  pres- 
ent oflfering  "A  One  Night  Stand  in  Minstrelsy"  is  a  gem  of  its  kind. 

The  Messrs  Leighton  in  addition  to  being  exceptionally  clever  dancers, 
are  authors  of  several  songs  that  are  recognized  successes,  among  them  are 
— "There's  A  Dark  ]\Ian  Coming  With  A  Bundle":  "Eb'ry  Dollar  Carries 
Trubbles  Ob  Its  Own" ;  "The  Message  of  the  Old  Church  Bell" ;  "Ain't  Dat 
A  Shame" ;  "Casey  Jones"  and  others. 

Joe  Leighton  (Le  Strange),  better  known  as  "Rags,"  made  his  first  ap- 
pearance with  Lew  Dockstader's  Minstrels,  at  Harrisburg,  Pa.,  October  31, 
1904.  remaining  until  November  23,  1906;  shortly  after  this  he 'joined  the 
Leighton  Brothers,  the  alliance  being  known  as  the  Three  Leightons  ;  he  has 
been  with  them  ever  since,  except  for  a  brief  period  in  the  early  part  of  the 
season  of  1908,  when  he  was  with  Cohan  and  Harris'  Minstrels. 
Mr.    Leighton   is  an  eccentric  dancer  of  uncommon  ability. 

Joe  Leighton  was  born  in  New  York  City,  October  7,  1887. 

Billy  Beard.  This  really  clever  performer  who  styles  himself  "The  Party 
from  tlie  South,"  actually  is  from  that  interesting  part  of  the  country  which 
has  produced  so  many  capable  burnt-corkers. 

Plis  story  is  best  told  in  his  own  language,  and  here  it  is — "Trouped 
with  Hypnotists,  Magicians  and  sundry  other  "one  night  organizations"  in- 
cluding a  season  in  repertoire  at  10-20  and  30;  the  above  includes  several 
journeys  on  foot  and  on  top  of  box-cars." 

Mr.  Beard  has  an  engaging  personality  which  brought  him  engage- 
ments with  Ricaby's  "West's"  Minstrels  ;  Nankeville's  "Haverly's"  Minstrels, 
George  Primrose's  Minstrels  and  Ted  Faust's  Minstrels.  As  a  monologist 
and  comedian  he  ranks  with  the  best  performers  of  his  time,  which  began  in 
1902 ;  at  present  he  is  in  vaudeville. 

Billy  Beard  was  born  in  Columbia,  S.  C,  September  i,  1879. 

V.'iLL  PiiiLBRiCK  made  his  first  and  only  appearance  in  minstrelsy  as  a 
member  of   Primrose   and   Dockstader's   Minstrels   at   the   Victoria  Theatre, 


FROM  "D.4DDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  359 

New  York  City,  in  the  Spring  of  1902 ;  he  sat  on  the  end,  sang  "The  Fortune 
Telling  Man";  did  "some"  dance  and  made  every  one  clap  their  hands 
awfully  loud. 

But  Tm  a  trifle  ahead  of  my  story.  His  first  appearance  was  selling 
peanuts  in  Barnum's  Circus  in  1893  ;  he  came  near  being  arrested  for  run- 
ning a  shell  game.  After  that  he  became  a  real  actor  with  "A  Trip  to  China- 
town" ;  in  this  company  he  first  appeared  in  black-face,  doing  a  specialty  with 
Eleanor  Falk. 

Mr.  riiilbrick  played  in  other  Hoyt  productions,  and  "starred"  for  five 
years  in  "The  Beauty  Doctor." 

Likewise  was  he  prominently  identified  with  "Panhandle  Pete";  Grace 
Cameron  Opera  Company,  and  "Foxy  Grandpa." 

In  vaudeville  he  was  of  the  team  of  Philbrick  and  Cardownie,  also  with 
Joe.   Hart's   "Bathing  Girls." 

^^'ill  Philbrick  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  October  16,  1879. 

Johnny  Dove  excels  as  a  dancer,  but  whatever  he  does  he  does  well;  now 
for  the  rest. 

Mr.  Dove's  first  stage  appearance  was  with  the  original  Bootblack 
Quartette,  in  1896;  the  following  year  with  James  Corrigan  he  did  a  black- 
face act,  which  qualified  him  to  becaome  a  member  of  Hi  Henry's  Minstrels, 
where  he  remained  six  years.  Lew  Dockstader's  M'instrels  was  the  next 
big  show,  and  though  Mr.  Dove  was  surrounded  by  a  galaxy  of  stars,  his 
own  light  was  none  the  less  resplendent.  His  next  engagement  was  a 
white-face  affair  with  the  Imperial  Burlesquers,  where  he  met  with  unquali- 
fied success ;  his  own  act  "The  Dancing  Burglar" ;  it  has  a  story,  and  here 
it  is • 

ACT   I. 

"As  a  boy.  Master  Dove  in  response  to  queries  as  to  his  future  ideas  in 
life,  gravely  told  his  Father  he  would  be  a  dancer  or  a  burglar. 

ACT   11. 

In  a  dancing  contest,  one  night  young  Dove  "flew  the  coop"  and  hiked 
away  to  the  town  hall  while  the  family  were  in  dreamland ;  Johnny  won  the 
coveted  prize,  a  silver  set  of  24  pieces ;  sneaked  home,  and  placed  his  win- 
nings on  the  table ;  thence  to  bed. 

ACT  III. 

Next  morning,  Dove  Sr.,  being  the  first  to  arise,  sees  the  new  addition 
to  the  family  plate,  hastily  concludes  that  John  had  decided  on  the  profes- 
sion of  burglar. 

CURTAIN. 

Johnny  Dove  was  born  in  New  Brunswick,  N.  J.,  April  15,  1879,  and  is 
at  present  with  Al.  G.  Field's  Minstrels. 

Eddie  Cassady,  a  great  Philadelphia  favorite,  is  one  of  the  most  pleasing 
of  present-day  comedians.  His  first  professional  appearance  was  with  Sim- 
mons and  Slocum's  Minstrels  in   1893. 


36o  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

In  1903  he  became  a  permanent  feature  during  the  Summer  season  at 
Atlantic  City,  K.  J.,  with  Murphy  and  Gibson's  Minstrels;  continuing  with 
them   until   1907. 

The  Summer  of  1908  again  saw  him  at  the  famous  sea-shore  resort 
with  Murphy's  JNIinstrels,  with  whom  he  has  since  appeared.  The  present 
season  of  1910  Mr.  Cassady  is  doing  one  of  the  principal  ends  with  Dumont's 
Minstrels  in  Philadelphia. 

He  also  played  a  white-face  part  with  Gracie  Emmett's  Company — and 
some  day  may  play  another. 

Eddie  Cassady  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  June   17,   1880. 

Tommy  Hyde  is  justly  entitled  to  take  the  highest  rank  with  the  younger 
generation  of  dancers ;  convincing  proof  of  this  can  be  had  from  the  fact  that 
both  Barney  Pagan  and  James  Gorman,  the  world's  leading  minstrel  pro- 
ducers, found  his  (Hyde's)  assistance  an  invaluable  auxiliary  to  their  own 
endeavors  on  various  occasions. 

His  first  appearance  proiessionally  was  at  Rochester,  N,  Y.,  with  P.  J. 
Mundy,  on  a  Tuesday. 

For  two  years  he  played  vaudeville  houses,  after  which  he  joined  Gil- 
more  and  Leonard  in  "Hogan's  Alley." 

His  next  engagement  was  with  Al.  G.  Field's  Minstrels,  and  that  gen- 
tleman thought  so  well  of  Mr.  Hyde,  that  the  engagement  was  extended 
until   six  seasons   had  been  rounded  out  with   that   prominent  organization. 

Mr.  Hyde  subsequently  joined  Lew  Dockstader's  Minstrels,  and  re- 
mained six  years  with  the  most  famous  of  all  black-face  comedians. 

Tommy  Hyde  was  born  in  Fresno,  Cal.,  February  10,  1881. 

Vaughn  Comfort  belongs  to  the  younger  generation  of  minstrels,  and  has 
all  the  qualifications  that  tend  to  make  an  artist ;  youth  and  a  handsome 
appearance  combined  with  recognized  ability  gained  in  the  dramatic  pro- 
fession  might   be   mentioned. 

His  first  appearance  was  with  the  Empire  City  Quartette  in  Philadel- 
phia, at  the  Globe  Theatre,  in  1895  ;  he  continued  with  them  all  that  season, 
serving  also  in  the  capacity  of  manager.  Next  came  a  brief  tour  with  Carl 
and  Johnson's   Minstrels. 

In  1897  he  joined  the  Irene  Myers  Stock  Company,  remaining  seven 
years  all  told.  In  between  this  engagement  was  one  with  the  A.  E.  Davis 
Stock  Company ;  here  Mr.  Comfort  played  leads. 

Season  of  1908-09  he  was  with  Dumont's  Minstrels  in  Philadelphia, 
where  he  had  the  distinction  of  taking  more  encores  after  a  ballad  than  any 
singer  of  late  years  ever  did  in  that  house. 

Seasons  of  1909-10  Mr.  Comfort  became  a  member  of  Cohan  and  Harris' 
Minstrels ;  his  work  as  interlocutor  with  this  organization  brought  forth 
lavish  encomiums  from  the  press  in  general,  and  the  Metropolitan  papers 
in  particular. 

The  present  season  of  1910-11  he  is  with  Geo.  Evans'  Minstrels. 

Prior  to  the  last  two  engagements,  he  was  with  the  Earl  Burgess'  Stock 
Company,  also  with  George  Primrose's  Minstrels. 

Mr.  Comfort's  voice  is  a  pure  tenor;  it  is  worthy  of  note  that  seldom 
in  minstrelsy  has  a  tenor  occupied  the  position  of  interlocutor. 


TOM— WATERS    &   KELLY— XOLAX 


LEW— COLLINS   BROS.— FRANK 


BILLY— WOOD  &  SHEPPARD— FRANK 


MORT— EMERSON  &  COOK— JAS. 


362  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

As  this  is  a  purely  minstrel  volume,  it  is  in  perfect  good  taste  to  remark 
that  he  is  a  great  "comfort"  to  his  friends  and  family. 

Vaughn  Comfort  was  born  in  Philadelphia,  August  7,  1881. 

John  J.  Blue,  an  efficient  dancer  of  the  present  generation  successfully 
conducted  a  dancing  school  in  Hoboken,  N.  J.,  about  eight  years;  desiring  wider 
scope  ;for  his  talents,  he  engaged  with  the  Cohan  and  Harris'  Minstrels  at  their 
inception  in  July,  igo8;  he  remained  the  season,  and  re-engaged  for  1909-10. 

John  J.  Elue  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  October  31,  1881. 

li.vKKY  Jr}LSpN  (Joelson)  is  undoubtedly  the  premier  operatic  black-face 
comedian  of  the  day;  to  hear  Mr.  Jolson  warble  selections  from  "Lucia"  gives 
one  that  Oliver  Twist  feeling — you  want  more. 

The  first  thing  theatrical  he  ever  did  was  to  become  an  usher  at  the  Bijou 
Theatre  in  Washington,  D.  C. ;  in  this  way  he  got  many  good  "tips."  Mr. 
Jolson  next  became  a  singer  "in  the  gallery,"  same  theatre;  after  that  it  was 
easy. 

His  first  appearance  in  black-face  was  with  the  Mayflower  Burlesquers, 
where  he  worked  with  his  brother  Al.  About  five  years  ago  at  Robinson's  Park, 
Ft.  Wayne,  Ind.,  he  appeared  for  the  first  time  in  a  single  specialty,  and  since 
then  has  played  vaudeville. 

July  31,  1909,  Mr.  Jolson  opened  with  the  Eddie  Leonard  Minstrels  at 
Union  Hill,  N.  J.,  doing  an  end  and  his  specialty. 

May  4,  igio,  he  sailed  for  Europe. 

Harry  Jolfon  was  born  in  Srednick,  Russia,  January  12,  1881. 

Joe  B.  McGee  didn't  go  to  school  with  Mark  Twain,  nor  did  he  start  the 
late  lamented  humorist  on  the  road  to  fame ;  but  Mr.  McGee  and  Mr.  Clemens 
were  both  born  in  the  same  house,  and  evidently  Mr.  McGee  imbibed  there  some 
of  the  humor  created  by  the  immortal  wit. 

His  first  professional  appearance  was  with  Robinson's  Minstrels  at  Han- 
nibal, Mo.,  in  1S98.  Subsequently  he  was  with  Ward  and  Wade's,  and  George 
Van's  iNIinstrels ;  also  did  he  tour  with  his  own  minstrel  company. 

Mc-  McGee  joined  Al.  G.  Field's  Minstrels  in  1909  for  the  season ;  the  fol- 
lowing year  he  was  in  vaudeville  with  Russell  and  Smith's  Minstrels. 

He  is  a  comedian  of  original  methods,  and  a  dancer  of  more  than  ordinary 
merit. 

Joe  B.  McGee  was  born  in  Florida,  Mo.,  February  20,  1881. 

George  Jones,  one  of  the  original  members  of  "That  Quartette,"  was  a 
"boy  singer"  with  Al.  G.  Field's  Minstrels  in  1896. 

Subsequently  he  did  meritorious  work  as  a  comedian  with  Wm.  H.  West's 
(Ricaby's)  Minstrels. 

After  the  dissolution  of  "That  Quartette"  in  1909,  Mr.  Jones  continued  in 
vaudeville  as  one  of  the  team  of  Jones  and  Deely. 

George  Jones  was  born  in  St.  Louis,  Mo.,  September  22,  1883. 

Will  Oakland  (Harry  Hinrichs)  possesses  that  extremely  rare  quality  of 
voice  that  is  known  as  a  contra-tenor,  which  he  uses  to  the  best  advantage,  his 
enunciation  being  well  nigh  perfect. 


AL.  JOLSON. 


FROM  "DADDV  RICE  TO  DATE.  363 

IMr.  Oakland  made  his  professional  debut  with  George  Primrose's  Minstrels 
in  Rochester,  N.  Y.,  February,  1905,  and  continued  with  that  company  until 
he  joined  Lew  Dockstader's  Minstrels  in  1907 ;  he  remained  with  Mr.  Dock- 
stader  two  seasons,  after  which  he  joined  Cohan  and  Harris'  Minstrels. 

Early  in  1910  Mr.  Oakland  joined  Wm.  H.  Thompson  in  a  high-class  sing- 
ing act,  reviving  a  well-known  trade-mark  of  two  decades  ago. 

Will  Oakland  was  born  in  Jersey  City  ,N,  J.,  January  15,  1883. 

Julian  Eltinge  (Dalton)  is  usually  billed  as  "the  artist  without  a  peer;" 
and  you  may  believe  it,  every  word. 

The  scion  of  an  old  Boston  family,  Mr.  Eltinge  adopted  his  present  calling 
for  the  avowed  purpose  of  "killing  time;"  that  he  made  a  "killing"  there  is  no 
dispute. 

He  was  a  member  of  the  First  Corps  Cadets  in  his  native  city,  and  when 
this  notable  organization  produced  "My  Lady"  in  1899,  Eltinge  was  cast  for  the 
soubrctte  role. 

In  1895  the  play  of  "Miss  Simplicity"  was  written  around  Mr.  Eltinge's 
talents ;  subsequently  it  became  a  vehicle  for  Frank  Daniels ;  afterwards  he  ap- 
peared in  "Baron  Humbug"  and  other  plays. 

His  first  Metropolitan  appearance  was  at  the  Bijou  Theatre  in  New  York 
City  in  1903,  with  "Air.  Wix  of  Wickham."  Later,  and  until  July  27,  1908,  he 
played  vaudeville  engagements  in  the  United  States  and  Europe. 

On  the  latter  date  he  made  his  first  minstrel  appearance  with  the  Cohan 
and  Harris  Company,  at  Atlantic  City,  N.  J. ;  his  success  with  this  organization 
was  nothing  short  of  phenomenal;  he  remained  the  entire  season,  appearing  with 
darkened  features  in  the  after-piece. 

It  may  be  of  interest  to  know  that  during  Mr.  Eltinge's  Cadet  Days;  he 
played  male  juvenile  roles  equally  as  clever  as  when  encompassed  by  skirts  and 
those  other  things  that  it  is  said  females  wear. 

Recently,  while  fulfilling  an  engagement  at  the  American  Music  Hall  in 
New  York  City,  Mr.  Eltinge  performed  his  specialty  a  la  minstrel. 

Julian  Eltinge  was  born  in  Boston,  Mass.,  May  14,  1884. 

Al.  Jolson  (Albert  Joelson).  Seldom  in  the  annals  of  minstrelsy  has  a 
performer  risen  to  such  heights,  and  achieved  such  success  in  the  brief  period 
that  this  brilliant  young  performer  has  accomplished.  Three  years  ago  he  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  Lew  Dockstader,  who  saw  him  perform  in  the  South  on 
several  occasions. 

Subsequently  the  latter  engaged  him  for  his  (Dockstader's)  company,  and 
in  the  Summer  of  1908,  Mr.  Jolson  made  his  first  appearance  with  the  latter's 
minstrel  organization.     His  success  was  instantaneouj  and  pronounced. 

He  remained  with  Dockstader  all  that  season,  and  part  of  the  next;  after- 
wards making  his  appearance  in  vaudeville,  where  if  anything,  he  was  even  a 
greater  hit.    In  the  vernacular  of  the  Rialto,  Mr.  Jolson  was  a  "riot." 

Like  everything  and  everybody,  he  had  to  have  a  beginning,  and  Mr.  Jol- 
son's  first  professional  appearance  was  with  Al.  Reeves'  famous  Beauty  Show. 
Subsequently  with  his  brother  Harry,  and  Joe  Palmer,  as  Jolson,  Palmer  and 
Jolson,  played  vaudeville.  Up  to  this  period  Mr.  Jolson  was  working  in  white- 
face. 


364  MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

At  Keeney's  Theatre,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  he  first  applied  cork ;  and  cork  it  has 
been  ever  since. 

Mr.  Jolson  is  a  comedian  by  nature  born ;  his  monologue,  interspersed  by 
clever  whistling  solos,  fully  merits  the  approbation  it  receives. 

Al.  Jolson  was  born  in  Srednick,  Russia,  May  16,  1885. 

Neal  Abel,  who  appeared  with  much  success  with  Primrose's  Minstrels  about 
four  years  ago,  subsequently  went  into  vaudeville  with  Dave  Irwin.  Mr.  Abel  is 
imquestionably  a  comedian  of  more  than  ordinary  merit;  and  anyone  in  Kansas 
City,  ]\Io.,  will  tell  you  the  same  thing. 

Charles  Hilliard  (Hurst).  From  chorus  man  to  burlesque  prima  donna 
in  two"  years  is  certainly  going  some ;  nevertheless,  that  is  the  proud  distinction 
accorded  ,to  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  who  made  his  first  professional  appear- 
ance with  Frank  Lalor  in  "Prince  Humbug"  in.  1908,  in  the  minor  capacity  al- 
ready referred  to.  The  following  year  Mr.  Hilliard  was  engaged  with  Cohan 
and  Harris'  Minstrels,  also  as  a  chorus  singer;  before  the  season  was  over  he 
was  playing  a  prominent  part  in  the  after-piece. 

August  10,  1910,  Mr.  Hillard  played  for  the  first  time,  the  principal  female 
role  in  the  "Firemen's  Picnic"  with  George  Evans'  Minstrels;  his  success  was 
emphatic. 

Charles  Hilliard  was  born  in  Sumter,  S.  C,  June  23,  1885. 

E.\RL  Benham  (James  Benham)  made  his  first  professional  appearance  in 
1903  in  the  chorus  of  "The  Fisher  Maiden,"  and  has  been  fond  of  fish  ever 
since ;  this  is  of  course  sith  rosa. 

It  was  in  the  year  of  1907  that  Mr.  Benham  acquired  his  first  minstrel  ex- 
perience, and  came  face  to  face  with  a  bo.x  of  cork.  The  following  year  he  was 
a  ballad  singer  with  Cohan  and  Harris'  Minstrels,  and  in  1909  he  began  his 
second  season  with  that  company,  playing  and  end,  working  in  a  big  song  and 
dance  number  and  in  the  after-piece. 

Mr.  Benham  is  an  accomplished  dancer  and  possesses  a  pleasing  tenor  voice. 

As  a  composer  he  has  won  conspicuous  success,  some  of  his  best  composi- 
tions being  "I'm  Happy  When  the  Band  Plays  Dixie,"  "My  Little  Rose  of  Kil- 
larney,"  "Mandy,"  "May  Moon"  and  "I  Can't  Think  of  Anything  That's  Half  As 
Sweet  as  You,"  the  latter  by  all  odds  having  one  of  the  sweetest  refrains  heard 
in  years. 

At  the  conclusion  of  the  season  of  1909-10,  Mr.  Benham,  in  conjunction 
with  John  King,  went  in  vaudeville,  making  their  first  appearance  at  the  War- 
burton  Theatre,  Yonkers,  N.  Y.,  May  22,  1910. 

At  the  present  time,  Mr.  Benham  and  Miss  Efifie  Snowden  are  meeting  with 
pronounced  success  in  a  clever  singing  and  dancing  act ;  vaudeville,  of  course. 

Earl  Benham  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  N.  Y.,  April  15,  1886. 


Sam.  S.\nford  built  the  first  theatre  ever  constructed  especially  for  a  min- 
strel company,  in  Philadelphia. 
It  opened  August  i,  1853. 


"Bun"   Granville    (Bernard   Ralph   Granville).    The   distinction   of   being 
one  of  the  youngest  of  minstrel  comedians  belongs  to  Mr.  Granville,  who  at  the 


CHAS.    H.    DAY 


NED.    GREENLAND 


D.  B.  HODGES 


JOHN  P.  ("CULLY")  SMITH 


WM.   H.   SMITH 


WM.    FOOTE 


W.  H.   STRICKLAND 


IIAKRY    CLAPHAM 


CHAS.   R.    BUGBEE 


PROMINENT  EXECUTIVES  OF  MINSTRELSY, 


366  '         MONARCHS  OF  MINSTRELSY, 

age  of  i6  years  joined  the  forces  of  Al.  G.  Field  as  a  song  and  dance  performer; 
and  step  by  step  rose  in  his  chosen  profession  until  he  had  the  honor  of  sitting 
on  the  principal  end  in  the  organization  of  the  "famous  Field  funsters." 

Mr.  Granville  remained  in  the  above  company  until  1909,  when  he  joined 
Will  Rogers  to  do  vaudeville;  he  is  still  doing. 

"Bun"  Granville  was  born  in  Chicago,  111.,  July  4,  1886. 

The  Foley  Twins  began  lives  as  newsboys  in  the  metropolis,  and  were 
endowed  by  nature  with  good  singing  voices  and  ditto  dancing  legs ;  so  it  was 
but  natural  that  talents  like  those  must  have  an  outlet,  which  they  quickly  found 
at  clubs  and  entertainments. 

Their  first  engagement  was  with  the  May  Howard  Company  in  1899;  it  was 
during  this  season  that  George  Primrose  heard  of  them,  and  made  arrangements 
for  the  boys  to  join  Primrose  and  Dockstader's  Minstrels,  which  they  did  at  At- 
lantic City,  N.  J.,  July  31,  1900;  they  remained  with  this  company  three  seasons, 
and  with  Dockstader's  Minstrels  two  years ;  their  greatest  prominence,  however, 
was  achieved  with  Mr.  Primrose  in  his  vaudeville  act,  with  which  they  remained 
two  years. 

It  is  pleasing  to  relate  that  these  boys  cheerfully  and  freely  give  all  credit 
for  their  success  in  life  to  Mr.  Primrose,  of  whom  they  speak  in  the  highest 
praise. 

A  season  in  vaudeville  with  Manuel  Remain  followed  their  last  minstrel  en- 
gagement. 

Johnny  Foley  was  born  in  New  York  City,  September  12,  1886;  and  Willie 
Foley  was  born  in  New  York  City,  September  12,  1886. 


THE  END. 


Typical  exponents  of 
Minstrelsy      St      Jt      Jl 


The  Gorman  Bros. 


Jas.    Gorman,    Gen.    Producer 

FOR 

Cohan  and  Harris*  Attractions 

^   c^   lif   c^   e^   c^ 

John  Gorman,  with  Marie  Dressier, 

IN 

''Tillie's     Nightmare" 

c^   c^   c^   c^   c^   c^ 

Geo.  Gorman,  with  Marie  Dressier, 

—IN 

"Tillie's    Nightmare" 


William  J. 

McKenna 

COMPOSER 
and  LYRICIST 

..Writer  of.. 

Many  Minstrel 

Hits  of  the 

present 
generation 

Productions 

GEO.  SIDNEY'S 

BUSY  IZZY'S  BOODLE 
GEO.  SIDNEY'S 

JOY  RIDER 
CLARABELLE  JEROME'S 
JOYLAND 


"Mandy  Lane" 
"Linda" 

(Won't  you  throwaKissto  Me?) 

"Lady  Love" 

"Dancing  on  the 
Levee" 

"Emmalina  Lee" 

MAY  IRWIN'S 

"Matrimony" 

and 

"She  Borrowed 
My  Only 
Husband" 

Writer  of  the 
American  version 
"Has  Anybody 
Here  Seen  Kelly  " 


Wm.  T. 


Jas.  W. 


Bowman  Brothers 


M    The  "Blue  Grass  Boys"    ii 


Will  and  Jim; 
e^        black   and  white; 
tall  and  slim. 


9^ 


In    Vaudeville. 


T  H  E 

New  York  Clipper 

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>IISS    >VIIVOIVA    M^INTER 


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ACTS  ALSO  WRITTEN  TO   ORDER 

JUST   DELIGHTED         YOUR    MONOLOGUE     GREATEST    .OF     SUC- 
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have  written  for  me,  as  j  ever  used.  You  can  is  all  I  can  say  about  the 
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part  in  a  show  I  shall  i  found  the  real  vaude-  ^^1'  "f"  ''^P'^"n  *'''"  "^ 
i„r»l„  rail  on  old  Dr  .,,  "  •  !"'=/=""  v""":  will  always  call  on  you 
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THREE      PEOPL~  MORE      TH 4N  ''^^^^   REFER    TO 

RESPONSIBLE  PLEASED  Lew    Fields,     Lew    Dock- 

for      my      success,      viz.:      .  ,       .,  ,     .  ,  stader.     Joe     Morris,     Al. 

Edward     S.     Keller     (my  ^'"'     '^e     new     material  i.e^ch,         Howard         and 

agent),     James     Madison  you«""c>te  for  me      Have  Howard.       Pat       Rooney, 

(my    author),    and    yours  "^ed   all   of  it   with   great  ujny      jj.      Van.       Wynn 

truly,  results.  ^„^        Lee,        Wm.        E. 

FRED  DUPREZ.         CHARLES    WAYNE.  Whittle,   etc.,   etc. 

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